We measured intracarpal canal pressures with the wick catheter in 15 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and in 12 control subjects. The mean pressure in the carpal canal was elevated significantly in the patients. When the wrist was in neutral position, the mean pressure was 32 millimeters of mercury. With 90 degrees of wrist flexion the pressure increased to 94 millimeters of mercury, while with 90 degrees of wrist extension the mean pressure was 110 millimeters of mercury. The pressure in the control subjects with the wrist in neutral position was 2.5 millimeters of mercury; with wrist flexion the pressure rose to 31 millimeters of mercury, and with wrist extension it increased to 30 millimeters of mercury. Carpal tunnel release brought about an immediate and sustained reduction in pressure.
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We measured intracarpal canal pressures with the wick catheter in 15 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and in 12 control subjects. The mean pressure in the carpal canal was elevated significantly in the patients. When the wrist was in neutral position, the mean pressure was 32 millimeters of mercury. With 90 degrees of wrist flexion the pressure increased to 94 millimeters of mercury, while with 90 degrees of wrist extension the mean pressure was 110 millimeters of mercury. The pressure in the control subjects with the wrist in neutral position was 2.5 millimeters of mercury; with wrist flexion the pressure rose to 31 millimeters of mercury, and with wrist extension it increased to 30 millimeters of mercury. Carpal tunnel release brought about an immediate and sustained reduction in pressure.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.