MODEL RELEASED. Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery. Image 13 of 13. Needles holding tendons in place during surgery on the wrist of a carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patient during surgery. As the original tendon has been damaged, a tendon from another part of the body has been spliced into the wrist and joined to the finger tendons. The joint has also been pinned to restrict movement and ease pain. CTS is caused by the compression of the median causes the condition, although repetitive movements and stress are often blamed. Sometimes it can be treated with steroids or physiotherapy, but in severe cases the wrist is immobilised surgically with metal pins. For a sequence of images showing this surgical procedure, see M551/437-M551/449.