ETIOLOGY OF WORK-RELATED CARPAL-TUNNEL SYNDROME - THE ROLE OF LUMBRICAL MUSCLES AND TOOL SIZE ON CARPAL-TUNNEL PRESSURES

A cadaveric study was undertaken to investigate the effect of tool siz e and lumbrical muscle incursion on carpal tunnel pressure during acti ve grip. Active grip was simulated by securing the specimens on an app aratus and loading each of the eight finger flexor tendons with 1 kg e ach. Carpal tunnel pressures were measured with and without 1- and 2-i n. tubing in the hand and before and after removing the lumbrical musc les. Both variables, tool size and lumbrical muscles, were found to ha ve a statistically significant effect on carpal tunnel pressure. Highe r pressure changes were found for the 2-in. tubing, compared with 1-in . tubing, but this difference was not statistically significant.