| Sub-title | |
| Authors | L A Galea R Gatt C Sciberras |
| Abstract | Introduction: Most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are idiopathic. Several studies attempted to find an explanation for the idiopathic form of this condition; including body mass index, stature and cross-sectional area of the carpal tunnel. Aim: To investigate whether there is a correlation between hand and wrist configurations and idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients and methods: Sixty patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome and sixty healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. The hand and wrist dimensions of each patient and subject were measured using standard engineering Vernier callipers. Results: The palm width was significantly greater in the patient group. There was no significant difference in hand length between the two groups. Both wrist Departmenth and wrist width were significantly greater in the patient group. The hand ratio, that reflects the difference of both the length and width dimensions of the hand was significantly lower in patients compared to controls (2.200.13 vs 2.260.14; P value 0.015). The wrist ratio, that reflects the difference of both the Departmenth and width dimensions of the wrist was significantly lower in patients compared to controls (0.610.09 vs 0.650.07; P value 0.009). Conclusion: Patients had squarer hands and wrists than controls. Our findings suggest that the anatomy of the hand and wrist may be important in the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
| Page | |
| Date | |
| Link to journal | |
| Key words | body mass index, hand shape and size, stature, carpal tunnel syndrome |