Effects of forearm pronation/supination on carpal tunnel pressure+,++

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0363-5023(98)80086-5Get rights and content

The effects of forearm rotation and metacarpophalangeal (MP) flexion on carpal tunnel pressure were investigated in 17 healthy adults who had no evidence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Pressure was continuously recorded with a saline-filled catheter inserted into the carpal tunnel and connected to a pressure transducer while test subjects slowly rotated the forearm from full pronation to full supination. Forearm rotation was repeated with MP flexion of 0o, 45o, and 90o. Both forearm rotation and MP flexion, and their interaction term, significantly affected carpal tunnel pressure and accounted for most of the variability in the data. Highest mean pressures (55 mmHg) were recorded in full supination and 90o MP flexion and lowest pressures (12 mmHg) were recorded at 45o pronation and 45o MP flexion. These data may be useful in the design of tasks and hand tools in the management and prevention of CTS.

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    Supported in part by grant K01OH00121-01 from the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

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    No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.

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    From the Ergonomics Program, Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, Richmond, CA, and the Hand and Microsurgery Medical Group, San Francisco, CA.

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