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

Year 2018, Volume: 4 Issue: 3, 187 - 192, 04.07.2018

Fatma Dilek Gökharman , Selma Uysal Ramadan Sonay Aydın , Pınar Nercis Koşar

https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.342224

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

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