Wrist dimensions, clinical and electrophysiological characteristics in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome [Karpal Tünel Sendromlu Hastalarda El Bilek Boyutlari, Klinik ve Electrodiagnostik Özellikler]

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most frequent entrapment neuropathy observed in clinical practice. With the increasing prevalence and incidence of the condition in the recent years due to better diagnostic tests and widespread public awareness of the condition, improving the diagnostic and prognostic approach of the clinician is of broad importance. In this study we investigated the symptom patterns, diagnostic tests, wrist dimensions and their relations to the electrodiagnostic findings. Newly diagnosed 4 (%6.6) male, 57 (%93.4) female, a total of 61 carpal tunnel syndrome patients with a mean age of 49.5+10.8 years were included in the study. After completion of a questionnaire including symptoms and functional status, Tinel and Phalen tests were performed, and wrist dimensions were measured bilaterally. The most commonly encountered symptoms were nocturnally exaggerated hand and wrist pain, numbness, and pain proximal to the wrist. There were no relation between symptom patterns and electroneuromyographic findings. Sensitivities of Tinel, Phalen tests and wrist dimension meaurements were not high, solely. The only correlation found was between the dimensions of the right wrist and mean right median nerve motor distal latency. No other significant relation between wrist dimensions and the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome was observed. In conclusion, the sensitivity and specificity of the provocative tests and measurement of wrist dimensions were found to be low. There were no significant correlations between symptoms of the patients, and electrodiagnostic parameters in CTS.