Clinical tests for carpal tunnel syndrome in contemporary practice

Abstract

Introduction: A study conducted to establish the most accurate combination of questionnaire and physical signs for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Method: Nerve conduction studies confirmed 70 patients with having carpal tunnel syndrome who were enrolled along with 70 age- and sex-matched controls. Patients were assessed using a symptom questionnaire, Phalen's test, Hoffmann-Tinel's sign, hand elevation test, carpal compression test, tourniquet test, pressure aesthesiometry and two-point discrimination.

Results: Through multivariate analysis, the best combination of tests was tourniquet, carpal compression and Phalen's tests but the difference between these and hand elevation test alone was negligible.

Conclusion: The hand elevation test may be used in isolation and is superior to questionnaires and other physical signs in the clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.