Phalen, Gardner, and La Londe report three surgically treated cases of spontaneous median nerve compression beneath the transverse carpal ligament — no prior injury, no arthritis — and describe the clinical features, operative findings, and outcomes that define what we now call carpal tunnel syndrome.
Phalen's 1950 paper laid the groundwork for modern understanding and diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. The provocative test described in this classic work continues to be a useful clinical tool in the physical examination of patients with suspected median nerve compression.
Phalen, Gardner, and La Londe report three surgically treated cases of spontaneous median nerve compression beneath the transverse carpal ligament — no prior injury, no arthritis — and describe the clinical features, operative findings, and outcomes that define what we now call carpal tunnel syndrome.
Phalen's 1950 paper laid the groundwork for modern understanding and diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. The provocative test described in this classic work continues to be a useful clinical tool in the physical examination of patients with suspected median nerve compression.