Development Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Research Articles

External wrist ratio is not a proxy for internal carpal tunnel shape: Implications for evaluating carpal tunnel syndrome risk.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is highly prevalent, resulting in decreased function and increased need for costly healthcare services. External wrist ratio (depth/width >0.70) is a strong predictor of the development of CTS and has been suggested to be a proxy for internal carpal tunnel (CT) shape. Conversely, sonography can more directly evaluate CT shape. The purpose of our study was to explore the relationship between wrist ratio and sonographic CT measurements to (1) evaluate the reliability of sonographic CT measurements and (2) explore how external wrist measures relate to anthropometric features of the CT. We used sonographic imaging on a sample of healthy participants (n = 226) to measure CT cross-sectional area, depth, width, and depth/width ratio. We conducted exploratory correlation and regression analyses to identify relationships of these measures with external wrist ratio. Reliability for dominant and nondominant sonographic CT measures ranged from good to excellent (0.79-0.95). Despite a moderate correlation between CT width and depth and their external wrist counterparts (0.33-0.41, p < 0.001), wrist ratio and CT ratio demonstrated weak to no correlation (dominant: r = 0.12, p = 0.053; nondominant: r = 0.20, p = 0.002) and the mean CT ratio was far lower than the mean wrist ratio (0.45 vs. 0.71 bilaterally). Supporting this, we observed several key differences in the relationship between external wrist measures compared to corresponding CT measures. Additionally, regression analyses combining participant factors and CT measurements produced models accounting for less than 15% of the variability in external wrist ratio (linear models) or correctly predicting less than 68% of wrist ratio-based risk categorization (logistic models). Overall, among healthy young adults, wrist shape is not an adequate proxy for CT shape.

Association of upper extremity anthropometry and subcutaneus adipose tissue with carpal tunnel syndrome

<p>Body mass index (BMI) is positively correlated with the frequency of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, there are different types of obesity, and the localization of adipose tissue differs between the genders. In this study, we purposed to investigate whether there was an association between the amount of local adipose tissue thickness and anthropometry in upper extremity with the presence and/or electrophysiological severity of CTS on both genders.</p>. <p>Our study included 150 patients who were diagnosed with CTS clinically and electrophysiologically and 165 healthy controls. The biceps and triceps skinfold thickness, the diameters of the wrist and metacarpal joints, and the upper arm circumferences over the belly of the biceps muscle were measured by using skinfold caliper and measuring cylinder. All data were analyzed by using the Statistics Open For All package (SofaStats) programme. To detect the role of anthropometric indexes, we used multivariable multinomial logistic regression models.&nbsp;</p>. <p>We revealed that BMI, biceps and triceps adipose tissue thicknesses were higher in females and also in patients with CTS. There was a positive correlation between electrophysiological grades of CTS and BMI with logistic regression analyzes. The mean Wrist circumference/Metacarpo&shy;ph&shy;arengeal Circumference ratio and biceps circumference were higher in moderate CTS groups. Metacarpofarengeal circumference was smaller in mild and moderate CTS cases compared to healthy ones.</p>. <p>We suggest that the differen&shy;ces between the anatomical bone structure and local adiposity between the genders may play an important role in the occurrence of CTS. Moreover, the structures of proximal muscle groups and distal metacarpal joints may contribute both to the development and severity of CTS.</p>.

Correlation between Palmaris Longus Muscle and Carpel Tunnel Syndrome in Badminton Players

Background: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is commonly observed in athletes, especially those engaged in sports involving repetitive wrist activities. The role of the Palmaris Longus Muscle (PLM) in the development of CTS has been a subject of interest due to its anatomical location. Objective: To examine the correlation between the presence or absence of the PLM and the incidence of CTS among badminton players. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 258 badminton players aged 18-23 years were assessed. Players with a history of carpal tunnel release surgery were excluded. The presence of the PLM was evaluated using Schaeffer’s test, while Phalen’s test was used to diagnose CTS. Statistical analysis involved chi-square tests to determine the association between PLM and CTS. Results: Of the participants, 193 (74.8%) had a positive Schaeffer’s test (indicating the presence of PLM), and of these, 72 (37.3%) also had a positive Phalen’s test (indicative of CTS). Conversely, among the 65 (25.2%) with a negative Schaeffer’s test, only 10 (15.4%) had a positive Phalen’s test. The chi-square analysis yielded a P-value of 0.001, indicating a statistically significant association between the presence of PLM and the occurrence of CTS. Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between the presence of the Palmaris Longus Muscle and the development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in badminton players. These findings underscore the importance of considering anatomical variations in PLM during the assessment and management of CTS in athletes.

Occupational and non-occupational risk factors correlating with the severity of clinical manifestations of carpal tunnel syndrome and related work disability among workers who work with a computer.

The contribution of certain occupational and personal factors to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is still uncertain. We investigated which specific occupational and non-occupational factors correlate with the level of clinical manifestations and work disability related to CTS. The study included 190 workers who work with a computer and have diagnosed CTS (100 men, 90 women, aged 20-65 years). Subjective experience of CTS-related impairments was assessed with the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and the Functional Status Scale (FSS) of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ). The objective, neural impairments were tested with electrodiagnostics (EDX), whereas CTS-related work disability data were collected from medical records. We found a high inter-correlation between BCTQ, EDX, and work disability data. These also showed high correlations with certain occupational factors (duration of computer-working in months and hours spent daily in computer-working, certain ergonomic, microclimatic, and other occupational conditions) and non-occupational factors (demographic and lifestyle factors: nutritional status, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity). Despite its limitations, our study has identified occupational and non-occupational risk factors that can aggravate CTS and work disability, but which can also be improved with workplace and lifestyle preventive and corrective measures. More research is needed, though, to establish the possible causal relationships and the independent influence of each of those risk factors.

Time-Dependent Change in Carpal Tunnel Cross-Sectional Area and Transverse Carpal Ligament Thickness Using Serial Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies—An Anatomical Study

Idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common compressive neuropathy. Aging and female sex are risk factors, but the reasons are unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether identifiable radiographic changes resulting in a decrease in carpal tunnel area (CTA) over time exist. A database search of a multicenter, academic, tertiary institution from 1998 to 2021 identified 433 patients with serial wrist magnetic resonance images (MRI) at least 5 years apart. Fifty-six met the inclusion criteria with adequate films to measure CTA and transverse carpal ligament (TCL) thickness at the same slice location-the carpal tunnel inlet, hook of the hamate, and carpal tunnel outlet-independently by two observers who were blinded to each other's measurements. Rates for the change in CTA and TCL thickness were calculated at all three locations. Thickness of the TCL increased, whereas that of the CTA decreased over time. Inlet CTA decreased by 0.9 mm2 per year (95% CI: 0.34-1.5), outlet CTA decreased by 1.8 mm2 per year (95% CI: 1.2-2.5), and CTA at the hook of the hamate decreased by 1.6 mm2 per year (95% CI: 1.0-2.0 per year). The TCL thickened by 0.02 mm per year at all three sections. Taller patients had a decreased rate of CTA loss. In this select cohort, TCL thickened and CTA decreased with time. TCL thickening accounted for about half of the variation in CTA, suggesting that this is a possible contributor to this change. Hypertrophy of the carpal tunnel floor may account for the remaining variation in CTA. The question of whether these results are reliable and generalizable to the general population, or a major influence in the pathophysiology of CTS, is unknown. Small decreases in CTA and thickening of the TCL occur with aging. Whether this is a contributing factor in the development of CTS requires further study.

Diyabetik Polinöropati ve Karpal Tünel Sendromu İlişkisi: Glisemik Kontrol ve Mikrovasküler Komplikasyonların Rolü

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is more common in diabetes mellitus (DM), especially in individuals with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN). This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the effects of elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, duration of diabetes, and other microvascular complications of DM on the frequency and severity of CTS in patients with DPN. &#x0D; Material and methods: 124 DPN patients were included in the study. In these patients, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1c levels, duration of DM, antidiabetic drugs used, comorbidities, and other complications of diabetes were questioned. According to the results of the electrophysiological examination, the patients were divided into 2 groups: those with only DPN and those with DPN + CTS. &#x0D; Results: When diabetes complications were investigated, diabetic nephropathy was found only in those with DPN + CTS (p=0.045). Electrophysiologically, in sensory fibers in all patients, In 43 patients (34.7%), involvement of motor fibers was accompanied. A positive correlation was found between the severity of CTS and duration of diabetes, FBG and HbA1c levels, and subcutaneous insulin use (p=0.018, p=0.014, p=0.003, p=0.029, respectively).&#x0D; Conclusion: Good glycemic control can reduce the risk of developing CTS with microvascular complications of diabetes. Therefore, it is important for patients to protect their hand function and prevent the development of CTS by being informed about the complications of diabetes.

Uporaba računala na radu i sindrom karpalnog kanala

There are many discussions regarding the impact of computer work, especially computer mouse use, in the development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The mechanism of such damage could be pressure or stretching of the median nerve in the carpal canal area. There is evidence that repetitive motion along with the use of force is a factor that contributes to the development of CTS, but computer work consists of mostly repetitive movements, without the use of force. Studies show that the prevalence of CTS in computer workers is similar to its prevalence in the general population. The general aim of this paper is to perform a literature search on the topic of whether there is a causal link between computer work and the development of CTS. The first specific goal is to try to quantitatively determine a relationship between exposure time and the development of symptoms, and the second specific goal is to try to set criteria, or guidelines, for the recognition of CTS as an occupational disease for those working on computers. A literature search on the databases ProQuest, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library. The key words used were: carpal tunnel syndrome AND computer work OR computer exposure OR keyboard use OR mouse use AND systematic review OR prospective cohort. The last search was performed on March 15, 2021. A total of 12 studies were included in this paper. The results were contradictory. Nine studies state that computer work does not pose an increased risk of CTS development. Two studies found that longer-term mouse use of more than 20 hours per week and keyboard use of more than 240,500,000 strokes per year may be associated with the development of CTS. One study showed people have a lower risk of developing CTSwhen working on a computer. We cannot determine with certainty the connection between computer work and the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. This calls into question the recognition of CTS as an occupational disease among those working on computers. Better planning and structured studies are needed to determine the intensity and duration of computer exposure and the level of damage to the median nerve, and then set criteria for the recognition of CTS as an occupational disease in these circumstances. Regardless of whether we recognize a particular disease as occupational, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures so that these health problems do not even occur, thereby keeping workers healthy and productive for as long as possible.

Potential Relationships between the Median Nerve Cross-Sectional Area and Physical Characteristics in Unilateral Symptomatic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients

The present study investigated the relationships between the median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) and physical characteristics in patients with unilateral symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), disease duration, results of electrodiagnostic testing (EDX), and median nerve CSA at the level of the wrist crease were recorded in 81 patients with CTS who presented with symptoms on only one side. Correlation coefficients between median nerve CSA and physical characteristics, disease duration, and results of EDX were analyzed. Median nerve CSA at the wrist crease (mm2) was significantly larger on the symptomatic side (14.1 ± 3.8) than on the asymptomatic side (11.5 ± 2.9). Median nerve CSA correlated with body weight (correlation coefficient = 0.39) and BMI (correlation coefficient = 0.44) on the asymptomatic side, but not on the symptomatic side. These correlations were slightly stronger in females (correlation coefficient = 0.46) than in males (correlation coefficient = 0.40). No correlations between median nerve CSA and disease duration and the results of EDX were observed in both sides. In patients with unilateral symptomatic CTS, median nerve CSA correlated with BMI only on the asymptomatic side. The present results suggest that the relationship between median nerve CSA and BMI in CTS is significant until symptom onset but may be masked by edema and pseudoneuroma after its onset. A higher BMI is associated with a larger CSA of the median nerve, which may be a risk factor for the development of CTS.

Does the Severity of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms Vary Due to Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies and Anemia?

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of serum vitamin, electrolyte levels, and anemia on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms and findings. Materials and Methods: The study included 166 patients with CTS and 80 healthy controls. The patients with CTS were further divided into two groups: those with positive (EP+) and negative (EP−) electrophysiology findings. The participants completed the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) to assess their symptoms, and electromyography investigations were performed to confirm the diagnosis. Results: The mean age of individuals in the EP+ group was older, and the body mass index scores were greater than those of other groups. The hemoglobin (Hb) level was significantly lower in the EP+ group than in the EP− group (P = 0.001). Ferritin levels were substantially lower in both the EP+ and the EP− groups compared with the control group (P = 0.045 and P = 0.017, respectively). However, no correlation was found between Hb and ferritin levels and BCTQ scores. The groups had no significant differences in Vitamin D, B12, calcium, and magnesium levels. No relationship was found between the severity of CTS symptoms and deficiencies in Vitamins D and B12. Conclusions: Based on this study, anemia and lower levels of ferritin were common in patients with CTS, but they did not directly contribute to the severity of symptoms; the significance of this finding concerning CTS is unclear. However, considering the limited number of studies suggesting that iron deficiency reduces axonal excitability and leads to the slowing of nerve conduction velocities, iron deficiency may facilitate the development of CTS.

Influence of ergonomic factors on peripheral neuropathy under HAV exposure.

Hand-arm vibration (HAV) is a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). It is unclear how ergonomic factors influence the relationship between HAV exposure and CTS and UNE. We aimed to assess the relationship between cumulative HAV exposure and CTS and UNE in workers exposed to HAV from two tools with different ergonomic profiles. We performed nerve conduction studies (NCSs) of the sensory and motor median and ulnar nerves and recorded symptoms indicating CTS and UNE in workers exposed to HAV from impact wrenches or from rock drills. Exposure was measured as cumulative lifetime exposure. We used linear regression adjusted for age and body mass index to assess linear relationships. Sixty-five workers participated (33 rock drill and 32 impact wrench operators). We found inverse linear associations between cumulative HAV exposure and median nerve sensory conduction velocity in impact wrench operators and ulnar nerve motor conduction velocity in rock drill operators (beta of 0.63 and 0.75). Based on NCS findings and symptoms, seven impact wrench operators had CTS and one UNE, and four rock drill operators had CTS and six UNE. Our findings indicate that ergonomic factors influence the development of CTS and UNE under HAV exposure. The ergonomic profile seems to influence which type of neuropathy workers exposed to HAV will develop. Design of occupational exposure guidelines and future studies should be based on ergonomic profile and exposure characteristics for different tools and not merely HAV.

Longitudinal Median Nerve Ultrasound Changes in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury and an Age- and Sex-Matched Nondisabled Cohort.

To assess the natural history for development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in persons with acute spinal cord injury (SCI) at 1 year postdischarge from initial rehabilitation and to assess baseline median nerve (MN) cross-sectional area (CSA) above/below 10 mm2 correlates with any longitudinal changes in quantitative ultrasound (US) of the MN. A prospective cohort study of persons with acute SCI evaluated for CTS using quantitative US and compared to a group without SCI (non-SCI). Academic medical center. N=69 total (N=34 SCI, N=35 non-SCI). The average age in both groups was 28 and the SCI group included 30 males and 2 females and the non-SCI group included 30 males and 3 females. Not applicable. The primary outcome was the change in quantitative US parameters of the MN, including CSA and grayscale, from baseline to 1-year follow-up in those with SCI and those without SCI. CTS symptomatology and physical exam sum score and US measures for dominant and nondominant arms were considered secondary outcomes. The SCI had darker nerves at baseline (P=.036, nondominant), greater CTS symptoms at follow-up (P≤.036, bilateral), and no differences in all change scores (all P≥.056). Individuals with smaller nerves at baseline had larger increases in nerve size (P=.029, nondominant) vs those with larger nerves. Change in CTS symptoms CSA (nondominant) and nerve echogenicity (dominant) were inversely associated with their respective baseline values (all P≤.045). We observed few differences between the SCI group and the non-SCI control group and between those with smaller vs larger MN. In general, MN pathology changes (CTS symptoms and US variables) over 1 year were more common in the nondominant arm and appear to be a function of MN pathology at enrollment. Individuals with SCI may experience increased CTS symptoms as soon as 1 year after injury.

Carpal tunnel volume distribution and morphology changes with flexion-extension and radial-ulnar deviation wrist postures.

Non-neutral wrist postures have been reported to cause decreased carpal tunnel volume (CTV) contributing to impingement of the median nerve and development of carpal tunnel syndrome. Recent analysis found CTV did not change with ±20° flexion-extension (FE), however, CTV decreased with ulnar deviation over the range of -5° to 15° radial-ulnar deviation (RUD). These findings suggest CTV may be too coarse of a measure to reflect the effects of slight non-neutral postures, or that volume is conserved and redistributed due to changes in tunnel morphology with posture. The objective of this study was to assess volume distribution along the length of the carpal tunnel and to quantify regional morphology changes with deviated wrist postures in both FE and RUD. Analysis was performed on a dataset of computed tomography scans collected on ten cadaveric specimens (5 male, 5 female, mean age = 80.7 ± 10.9 years) over a range of FE and RUD postures. The carpal tunnel of each scan was divided into four quartiles of equal length along the tunnel to quantify volume distribution. Volume within the carpal tunnel was seen to redistribute with both FE and RUD. Decreased volume in the distal aspect of the tunnel with flexion and proximal aspect of the tunnel with ulnar deviation may contribute to localized compression of the medial nerve. Measures of mean cross-sectional area, width and depth by quartile provided an indication of the morphology changes associated volume redistribution. Morphology analysis also revealed twisting between the proximal and distal aspects of the tunnel which increased with flexion and ulnar deviation and may further contribute to strain on the median nerve.

Carpal tunnel mechanics and its relevance to carpal tunnel syndrome

The carpal tunnel is an elaborate biomechanical structure whose pathomechanics plays an essential role in the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. The purpose of this article is to review the movement related biomechanics of the carpal tunnel together with its anatomical and morphological features, and to describe the pathomechanics and pathophysiology associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Topics of discussion include biomechanics of the median nerve, flexor tendons, subsynovial tissue, transverse carpal ligament, carpal tunnel pressure, and morphological properties, as well as mechanisms for biomechanical improvement and physiological restoration. It is our hope that the biomechanical knowledge of the carpal tunnel will improve the understanding and management of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Diabetic retinopathy as a predictor for peripheral compression neuropathies, a registry-based study.

Diabetes is characterized by hyperglycaemia and entails many complications, including retinopathy and entrapment neuropathies, such as ulnar nerve entrapment (UNE) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Hyperglycaemia damages the nerves of the retina, as well as peripheral nerves. There is a correlation between entrapment neuropathies and retinopathy in patients with diabetes, but whether patients with diabetic retinopathy are more prone to develop CTS and UNE is uncertain. Hence, the aim was to investigate if retinopathy can be used as a factor predicting the development of CTS and UNE. Data from 95,437 individuals from the National Diabetes Registry were merged with data from the Skåne Healthcare Registry. The population was analysed regarding prevalence of CTS or UNE and retinopathy status. Population characteristics were analysed using the Chi2-test, Student's Independent T-test, and the Mann-Whitney U-test. Two logistic regression models were used to analyse the odds ratio (OR) for development of CTS and UNE depending on retinopathy status, adjusted for possible confounders. Both CTS and UNE were more frequent among those with retinopathy, compared to those without (CTS: 697/10,678 (6.5%) vs. 2756/83,151 (3.3%; p<0.001), (UNE: 131/10,678 (1.2%) vs. 579/83,151 (0.7%; p<0.001)). The OR for developing CTS for individuals with type 1 diabetes and retinopathy was 2.40 (95% CI 2.06-2.81; p<0.001) and of developing UNE was 1.53 (0.96-2.43; p = 0.08). The OR for developing CTS for individuals with type 2 diabetes and retinopathy was 0.93 (0.81-1.08; p = 0.34) and for UNE 1.02 (0.74-1.40; p = 0.90). Diabetic retinopathy is associated with a higher risk of developing CTS and UNE, but the association seems to be mediated by the duration of the diabetes. Higher HbA1c levels, longer diabetes duration and higher BMI are significant risk factors for developing CTS and UNE in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Independent risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome: Assessment of body mass index, hand, wrist and finger anthropometric measurements.

The most prevalent neuropathy in the upper extremity is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). A variety of related risk factors such as biomechanical exposures, body mass index (BMI), sex and hand shape are reported to be related to CTS. We aimed to identify the role of BMI, hand, wrist and finger anthropometric dimensions in the development of CTS, and to compare these measured variables between control and CTS participants. A cross-sectional, case control study (n = 240, CTS = 120, controls = 120) with participants recruited from a convenience sample diagnosed with CTS and referred for anthropometric measurements. The control participants were matched by age and sex. The body height, weight, hand width, hand length, wrist depth, wrist width, wrist circumference, and finger length were measured. Hand, wrist and finger indices, hand to height ratio, and BMI were calculated. Mean values of all dimensions were compared between cases and controls, and the role of independent risk factors were determined by logistic regression analysis. The mean BMI, age, weight, sex and height were not significant between the two groups. Among the measured dimensions and calculated indices the significantly different variables between two groups were the wrist width, wrist depth, wrist circumference, hand index, hand to height index, and wrist index. Regression analysis showed that the wrist index (β=-1.7, p = 0.0001), wrist depth (β=0.25, p = 0.0001) and wrist width (β=0.21, p = 0.0001) were the strongest factors in CTS development in the sample. Wrist parameters have a strong role in predicting the development of CTS, while BMI was not confirmed as an independent risk factor.

Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Requiring Surgery May Increase in Patients Treated with Trigger Finger Release: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PurposeThe correlation between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) surgery and trigger finger (TF) surgery is unclear; we conducted this nationwide population-based study to assess the development of severe CTS requiring surgery after TF surgery.Patients and MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used the data of patients diagnosed as having TF between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2017, and they were divided into two comparative groups. Patients who underwent surgical release within 1 year of diagnosis were included in the TF-OP group, and those who did not undergo TF release during the same period were included in the TF-NOP group. The primary outcome was the new incidence of CTS release (CTR), and data on the related risk factors were collected for analysis.ResultsA total of 8232 patients each were enrolled into the TF-OP and TF-NOP groups and were 1:1 propensity score matched (mean patient age, 54.7 ± 10.1 years; mean follow-up duration, 6.58 years). The incidence rate of CTR was 1.1 per 1000 person-years in the TF-OP group and 0.7 per 1000 person-years in the TF-NOP group. The adjusted hazard ratio of TF surgery was 1.51. The factors significantly correlated with an increased incidence of CTR were age, female sex, diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal failure. In subgroup analysis, patients aged >65 years and female patients in the TF-OP group were still at significantly higher risks of CTR than were their counterparts in the TF-NOP subgroups. The cumulative incidence of CTR after TF surgery linearly increased with time in both groups.ConclusionPatients undergoing TF release may have a higher incidence of CTR 1 year later, especially women and patients aged >65 years. Diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure may be risk factors.

The Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Among the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT) Undergraduate Students in UNIMAS and Its Association with Computer Usage

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common type of nerve entrapment and it is due to the compression of the median nerve which passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Previous research had found that the development of CTS is related to the prolonged use and repetitive movement of the wrist such as typing. Thus, this research is conducted to determine the prevalence of CTS among the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT) undergraduate students in UNIMAS and its association with computer usage. To achieve the objective, a quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of CTS and its association with computer use among UNIMAS FCSIT undergraduate students. The data was collected by distributing a self-administrated questionnaire through online platforms. The questionnaire contained 4 main sections, which consist of the respondent demographic information, respondent’s computer usage and knowledge on computer ergonomics, Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) and Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome questionnaire. The collected data were analysed by using SPSS statistical software version 21. According to the results, a total of 338 responses from UNIMAS FCSIT students with a mean age of 22.04 were collected; 59.5% of the respondents were females and 40.5% were males. Among the 338 respondents, about 90.8% were healthy with no pre-existing medical condition while only 3.8% of them were diagnosed with CTS prior to this study. Next, most of the respondents had average knowledge on computer ergonomics (28.4%). According to the PRWE result, most of the respondents had minimal pain (44.1%). Next, for the BCTQ severity score result, most of the respondents showed minimal CTS symptoms (42%) while for the BCTQ function score, up to 60.7% of the respondents did not show CTS symptoms. Other findings of our study showed that there was no relation between CTS and computer usage either in terms of daily duration on computer use, years on computer use or knowledge on computer ergonomics. To conclude, there is minimal correlation between computer usage and the risk of developing CTS.

Thirty Minutes of Sub-diastolic Blood Flow Occlusion Alters Carpal Tunnel Tissue Function and Mechanics.

There is evidence that carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) development is driven by vascular factors, specifically those resulting from ischemia and edema. The purpose of this study was to investigate the vascular hypothesis of CTS development by quantifying the temporal effects of 30 min of sub-diastolic brachial blood flow occlusion on median nerve edema, intraneural blood flow velocity, nerve function as measured through nerve conduction study (NCS), tendon-connective tissue mechanics and carpal tunnel tissue stiffness. Forty healthy volunteers underwent 30 min of sub-diastolic brachial occlusion while an NCS and ultrasound examination were performed consecutively every 5 min. Motor latency (p < 0.001), sensory conduction velocity (p < 0.001), sensory amplitude (p=0.04), nerve blood flow (p < 0.001), peak relative flexor digitorum superficialis tendon-sub-synovial connective tissue displacement (p=0.02) and shear strain (p=0.04) were significantly affected by partial ischemia. Our results highlight the dependency of carpal tunnel tissue function on adequate blood flow.

Occupational risk factors for work disability following carpal tunnel syndrome: a pooled prospective study

BackgroundAlthough recent studies have identified important risk factors associated with incident carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), risk factors associated with its severity have not been well explored.ObjectiveTo examine the associations between...

Radiographic Characteristics of the Distal Radius in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Case-Control Study

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common disorder with several known risk factors. However, the role of radiographic characteristics of the distal radius and risk factors of CTS has been overlooked. Objectives: To identify radiographic characteristics of the distal radius as the risk factors of CTS. Methods: In a case-control study, 60 patients with CTS who underwent surgical treatment (case group) and 60 people who underwent radiographic evaluation for reasons other than CTS (control group) were included. The case and control participants were matched for age and sex. Radiographic records of the patients were reviewed in the picture archiving and communication system, and the distal radius characteristics, including volar tilt, radius slope, radius height, and ulnar variance, were investigated. Results: The Mean±SD volar tilt was 10.49±6.42º in the case group and 16.65±5.31º in the control group (P &lt;0.001). The Mean±SD radius inclination angle was 19.58±4.72º in the case group and 17.88±4.88º in the control group (P=0.049). The Mean±SD height of radius was 10.30±3.21 mm in the case group and 12.24±5.33 mm in the control group (P=0.017). The Mean±SD ulnar variance was 1.36±1.43 mm in the case group and 0.75±0.27 mm in the control groups (P=0.002). Conclusion: Radiological characteristics of the distal radius are significantly different between the CTS and non-CTS patients and could be regarded as the inherent risk factors of CTS development.