Abstract
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) patients frequently report motor symptoms such as hand weakness and difficulty grasping small objects. Nevertheless, patients who only reported unilateral symptoms had bilateral neurophysiological impairment of the median nerve. The aim of the study was to assess bilateral grip and pinch strength on asymptomatic side along with to observe the occurrence of Subclinical CTS. 66 participants were included in the study who received nerve conduction study (NCS) lab referral after clinical diagnosis of CTS made by orthopedician/physician and it was confirmed by NCS. NCS was carried out with the help of RMS EMG Salus 2C. Participants of 18 to 80 years old, getting positive result of CTS during NCS on unilateral side were included. The grip and pinch strength was measured using Baseline Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer and Baseline Pinch Gauge respectively. The hand position was set according to the guidelines from “The American Society of Hand Therapists”. The mean value reduction in grip strength (subclinical) when compared to normative data is 11.32 and also lateral, tripod and tip to tip pinch has shown to decrease in strength and; when subclinical side was compared to affected side 76.74% of participants had decreased grip strength with reduction in lateral, tripod and tip to tip strength. Fisher’s exact test was applied for Statistical Analysis. Patients presenting with symptoms on unilateral side also exhibit reduction of strength over the subclinical side; which suggests that early rehabilitation should be commenced over the subclinical side to prevent further deterioration of the condition.
Keywords: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Grip Strength, Pinch Strength, Subclinical, Nerve Conduction Study.