Can decrease in hand grip strength in carpal tunnel syndrome be explained by interosseous muscle and intermetacarpal space dimensions?

Authors : Fatma Dilek GÖKHARMAN, Selma UYSAL RAMADAN, Sonay AYDIN, Pınar Nercis KOŞAR

Pages : 187-192

Doi:10.18621/eurj.342224

View : 21 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 2018-07-04

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objectives. To investigate the correlation of the grip strength with sonographic measurement of interosseous muscle insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(IOM); and intermetacarpal space insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(IMS); of the hands in carpal tunnel syndrome insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CTS); patients. Methods. A total of 96 hands of 48 female patients constituted the study group. Of those, 36 hands of 18 patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(mean age: 50.2 ± 9 years); had CTS confirmed by electro-diagnostic tests. Sixty hands of 30 healthy volunteers insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(mean age: 45.2 ± 9.7 years); constituted the control group. Grip strength was assessed by Jamar hand dynamometer. IOM and IMS dimensions for all hands were measured sonographically at three levels insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th intermetacarpal; palmar side for IMS, dorsal side for IOM); by the same radiologist. Spearman and Mann Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. Results. The median hand grip strength was determined as 11.3 kg insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(min-max = 7.2-18.1 kg); in the CTS group and 19.5 kg insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(min-max = 7.8-30.5 kg); in the control group, with a statistical difference between the two groups insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p < 0.03);. In both groups, there was a positive correlation between the IOM-IMS dimensions and grip strength insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p < 0.05);. Sonographically, IOM-IMS measurements in CTS group were significantly lower than control group insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p < 0.01);. Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the correlation of grip strength and the sonographic IOM-IMS measurements in CTS patients. The muscular atrophy, which is generally a finding of advanced disease, may be revealed by sonographical measurements earlier than the physical examination findings. 
Keywords : hand grip strength, carpal tunnel syndrome, interosseous muscle, intermetacarpal space dimensions, ultrasound