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 : 24 | Download : 6

Publication Date : 2018-07-04

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Objectives. To investigate the correlation of the grip strength with sonographic measurement of interosseous muscle (IOM) and intermetacarpal space (IMS) of the hands in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients. Methods. A total of 96 hands of 48 female patients constituted the study group. Of those, 36 hands of 18 patients (mean age: 50.2 ± 9 years) had CTS confirmed by electro-diagnostic tests. Sixty hands of 30 healthy volunteers (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 (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 (min-max = 7.2-18.1 kg) in the CTS group and 19.5 kg (min-max = 7.8-30.5 kg) in the control group, with a statistical difference between the two groups ( p < 0.03). In both groups, there was a positive correlation between the IOM-IMS dimensions and grip strength ( p < 0.05). Sonographically, IOM-IMS measurements in CTS group were significantly lower than control group ( 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