CARPAL-TUNNEL AREA AS A RISK FACTOR FOR CARPAL-TUNNEL SYNDROME

Carpal tunnel area was investigated as a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). It was hypothesized that if canal area is a risk fctor for the syndrome, individuals who develop the syndrome should have smaller carpal canal areas than those who remain free of the syndrome. Sixty‐one subjects, approximately equally divided by sex, age group, and diagnosis, were examined. A measurement of cross‐sectional areas of the carpal canal by computerized axial tomography indicated that individualsdiagnosed as carpal tunnel patients had significantly larger carpal canal areas than controls. The results indicate that a small carpal canal aresa does not appear to be a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.