Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome among Third Trimester Pregnant Women – An Institutional Based Study

Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a most common type of upper limb compression neuropathies.Carpal tunnel syndrome is common during pregnancy and the symptoms are mostly high in the thirdtrimester. Various physiological and electro diagnostic tests are used to detect carpal tunnel syndromein this stage. Though it is common during pregnancy; there are limited studies done in India to find outthe prevalence. Thus this study was aimed to find the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome among thirdtrimester of pregnant women.Method: A cross-sectional study including 371 pregnant women who visited OBG Department of YenepoyaMedical College Hospital Mangalore. They were assessed subjectively through Flick sign and Katz HandDiagram and objectively using clinical tests including Tinel’s test, Phalen’s test, Carpal compression test andAbduction strength test to confirm the carpal tunnel syndrome.Results: Among 371 pregnant women, 34 (9%) women were found to be positive of carpal tunnel syndrome.3.6%, 6.9% and 11.3% of carpal tunnel syndrome were found in 7th, 8th and 9th month of their pregnancyrespectively. Tests were found to be higher in 9th month as compared to 7th and 8th month but Tinel’s sign wassignificantly higher in the 9th month.Conclusion: In this study the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome among third trimester pregnant womenwas found to be 9%.