CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME IN PRIVATE PRACTICE

Abstract

This chapter presents a study focusing on carpal tunnel (CPT) syndrome in private practice. During a time period of 3 years, a CPT syndrome was found in 67 patients in a neurological and psychiatric practice in West Berlin. The diagnosis was based on typical clinical signs and the measurement of motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity and distal latencies in one ulnar and both median nerves. The results showed that CPT syndrome was by far the most frequent type of peripheral nerve lesion seen in private practice. The incidence maximum of CPT syndrome was found in women from 40 to 70 years of age. In young men, CPT syndrome was only exceptionally seen but when present, a relationship to heavy manual work could be found. Two young female patients with CPT syndrome were pregnant. Other additional findings often made in patients with CPT syndrome were diabetes, alcoholism, and rheumatoid arthritis.