Carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy

Abstract

Forty-two cases of the carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy are reported. Eighty-five per cent cleared spontaneously; 15 per cent required surgical decompression, and all obtained complete relief. In 5 patients the syndrome recurred with subsequent pregnancies. The viewpoints of obstetricians, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and orthopedic surgeons concerning this syndrome during pregnancy were obtained by means of questionnaires. The roles of edema in the etiology and of early conservative therapy or surgical decompression are discussed.