Carpal Tunnel Configuration Measured by Ultrasonography as a Risk Factor of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Motor Part Manufacturing Workers.
- Author:
Duck Soo KIM
1
;
Hae Kwan CHEONG
;
Hyun Sul LIM
;
Yong Wook KWON
;
Jong Min LEE
;
Dae Hyun CHO
;
Dae Seob CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Korea. hkcheong@dongguk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Carpal tunnel syndrome;
Ultrasonography;
Risk factors
- MeSH:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome*;
Female;
Follow-Up Studies;
Gyeongsangbuk-do;
Humans;
Male;
Median Nerve;
Physical Examination;
Prevalence;
Prognosis;
Questionnaires;
Risk Factors*;
Ultrasonography*;
Wrist
- From:Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
2002;14(3):213-226
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate individual susceptibility to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) by ultrasonographic measurement of the carpal tunnel configuration in workers doing repetitive work. METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 24 male and 11 female workers in a soundproof material manufacturing company in Gyeongju. We conducted a self-reported questionnaire survey, a physical examination and an electrodiagnostic study (EDS) in April 2000. After the examination, jobs were rearranged for workers with CTS. A follow up physical examination, EDS, and measurement of the carpal tunnel by ultrasonography was done six months later. RESULTS: Of those studied, prevalence of CTS was 63.6/100 persons among women and 29.2/100 persons among men. Mean depth and width of wrist was shorter in those with CTS compareal to the controls (p<0.05). The risk of CTS was higher in workers whose carpal tunnel ratio (displacement/width) was 0.17 or higher (OR 7.13, 95 % confidence interval 1.18-43.1), and in workers whose carpal tunnel area was less than 300 mm2 (OR 8.00, 95 % confidence interval 1.18-68.5). Carpal tunnel depth and depth/width ratio had a positive correlation with motor latency of the median nerve and median-ulnar sensory latency difference (p<0.05), whereas the carpal tunnel width, displacement/depth ratio, and area (width X displacement) had a negative correlation with median nerve latencies after adjusting for gender. Workers who showed an improvement in the clinical stage of CTS after job rearrangement had a significantly lower carpal tunnel displacement/width ratio and displacement/depth ratio. They also had smaller upper carpal tunnel area ( width X displacement) and larger upper carpal tunnel area [(depth-displacement) X width] than the controls (p< 0.05 ). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonographic measurement of the carpal tunnel is a good predictor of susceptibility and prognosis of CTS in workers doing repetivive work.
