Isokinetic evaluation of wrist muscle strength in patients of carpal tunnel syndrome

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the isokinetic characteristics of wrist strength in flexion, extension, supination, pronation, radial, and ulnar deviation in patients with moderate or severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Patients and methods: Thirteen patients (23 hands) (2 males, 11 females; mean age 45 years; range 29 to 60 years) with moderate or severe CTS were compared to six healthy control subjects (12 hands) (2 males, 4 females; mean age 41 years; range 27 to 63 years) in this study, which was conducted between January 2016 and April 2016. Wrist flexion, extension, supination, pronation, radial, and ulnar deviation muscle strengths were measured at 30°/second (5 sets) angular velocity with isokinetic dynamometer. Grip strength was measured with hand dynamometer (kilograms). Boston Questionnaire was used for clinical assessment. Results: Grip strength (p=0.003); wrist flexion 30°/second (p=0.014); extension 30°/second (p=0.016); and ulnar deviation 30°/second (p=0.017) muscle strengths were lower in CTS patients compared with the control group. An evaluation according to symptom duration did not reveal any significant relationship in any of the isokinetic tests with the exception of pronation 30°/second (p=0.039, r= -0.432) and ulnar deviation 30°/second (p=0.034, r=0.443) in CTS patients. No significant relationship was found between Boston Questionnaire, grip strength, and isokinetic test results. Conclusion: Quantitative wrist strength measurements with isokinetic dynamometers are beneficial in conservative exercise treatments and motor assessments of CTS patients.