The hand is one of the most complex parts of the human body. The hands contain forty percent of the bones and fifty percent of the muscles in the human body. In addition, the opposable thumb is one of two features that separates primates from other animals.

This study develops a three dimensional, dynamic mathematical model that may be used to predict the relative tendency of an activity to cause carpal tunnel syndrome. The model can be used to calculate both the forces in and the motion of the tendons in the hand. The forces and the deflections of the tendons are combined to determine a measure of the energy lost in the carpal tunnel because of the friction between the tendons and the tunnel itself.

An analysis is performed on the index finger for the typing of one sentence. The purpose of this analysis is to determine if the model provides valid results. In addition, in providing this analysis, the accuracy of the measuring system is determined and shown to be adequate for measuring the motion and forces on the hand.