Motor Function Outcome Assessment by Grip and Pinch Strength Following Carpal Tunnel Release

Objective: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the commonest compression neuropathy of upper limb in practice and is extensively studied condition. Objective assessment of motor function is useful to evaluate outcome after surgical procedure. There appears to be controversy on which motor function change recovery after the release. This study was conducted to compare pinch and grip strength of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome undergoing release to normative values preoperatively and postoperatively. Methods: Clinical information collected on grip and pinch strength of 50 hands with carpal tunnel syndrome was compared to appropriately match normative data. Findings: There were definite improvements in strength after 4 weeks postsurgical release and some subjects continued to have significant deficits compared to the normative data. Applications: Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome have moderate to large weakness in grip and pinch strength in comparison to normative data. Carpal Tunnel Release may reduce this weakness; however, carpal tunnel syndrome patients may often have with residual problems at 4 weeks and may take up to 1 year to resolve completely.