Effects of Wrist Posture and Tendon Loading on Carpal Tunnel Dimensions: an Mri Evaluation

Wrist posture and tendon loading have been shown to increase carpal tunnel pressure, which may result in median nerve compression (Keir et al., 1998). This change in pressure may be due to a change in carpal tunnel volume or the volume of its contents. Thus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have been used to evaluate parameters such as cross-sectional area (CSA) and the relationship of space availability and the median nerve (Horch et al., 1997; Skie et al., 1990). While previous studies have evaluated the CSA in flexed and extended wrists, volume has only been addressed in neutral wrist postures (Cobb et al., 1992; Richman et al., 1987). By evaluating numerous parameters in both healthy and symptomatic wrists, mechanisms by which CTS develops may be elucidated.