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Diagnosis and Prognosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation (NA Segal, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy seen in the electrodiagnostic laboratory. Clinical assessment is an important part of the electrodiagnostic consultation and helps to form an appropriate differential diagnosis. Sensory conduction studies are a critical part of the evaluation. Using a summary index, such as the combined sensory index, is preferable to considering single tests. Motor conduction studies are also important as they will detect isolated compression of motor branches or fascicles. Needle EMG is useful to detect axon loss as well as to evaluate for other peripheral nervous system sites of impairment. The electrodiagnostic examination can also impart information about the likelihood of success after carpal tunnel release.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Lawrence R. Robinson

  2. John and Sally Eaton Chair in Rehabilitation Science, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, H391, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada

    Lawrence R. Robinson

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  1. Lawrence R. Robinson
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Correspondence to Lawrence R. Robinson.

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This article is part of the Topical collection on Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation.

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Robinson, L.R. Diagnosis and Prognosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep 3, 77–85 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-015-0077-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-015-0077-2

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