Clinical Trial: The Use of Ultrasound to Quantify Muscle Overlying the Carpal Tunnel
Study Status: Not yet recruiting
Recruit Status: Not yet recruiting
Study Type: Observational
Official Title:
Brief Summary:
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that still lacks a reliable, objective screening test. Many anatomical aspects of the syndrome have been studied including the dimensions of the carpal tunnel and shape of the nerve within the tunnel. The investigators have observed varying amounts of muscle overlying the carpal tunnel in patients undergoing surgery for the condition. Assuming that this muscle may have a dynamic role in the development of the condition, the investigators attempted to quantify this muscle using ultrasound (US).
The purpose of this study was to devise a technique to evaluate the amount of muscle overlying the carpal tunnel.
The hypothesis is that patients with carpal tunnel syndrome will have significantly more muscle overlying the carpal tunnel than individuals without carpal tunnel syndrome.
Detailed Summary:
Introduction:
The pathophysiology of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is in all probability multifactorial including many parameters that ultimately increase the pressure within the carpal tunnel. It is likely that the increased pressure then causes injury to the median nerve and the signs and symptoms of CTS. The relationship between the size or dimensions of the hand and the occurrence of CTS has been evaluated and "square-shaped" hands have also been examined to determine if there is an increased tendency to develop CTS. The literature remains inconclusive at this time. Other static anatomical parameters that have been evaluated include the size of the carpal tunnel and the thickness and biomechanical properties of the transverse carpal ligament again without absolute consensus in the literature.
Additional studies have evaluated the role of the intrinsic musculature within and surrounding the carpal tunnel in the etiology of CTS. Most of these studies have evaluated the muscles as space occupying lesions that add to the pressure within the carpal tunnel. The investigators believe that some of the muscles described, specifically those that are found within the transverse carpal ligament and that cross the area of the carpal tunnel, actually have a dynamic role in the etiology of CTS, especially in manual laborers that use their hands in a forceful manner in a repetitive fashion. It is also possible that this anatomic variant (muscles crossing the area of the carpal tunnel) is related to the "square "hand configuration and that this dynamic contribution to the pressure within the carpal tunnel is the reason for the increased incidence of CTS in these patients. The purpose of this study is to quantify the amount of muscle crossing the area of the carpal tunnel in normal individuals and to compare it to the
Sponsor: Clalit Health Services
Current Primary Outcome: amount-depth of muscle overlying the carpal tunnel [ Time Frame: 2 years ]
Original Primary Outcome: Same as current
Current Secondary Outcome:
Original Secondary Outcome:
Information By: Clalit Health Services
Dates:
Date Received: August 16, 2015
Date Started: July 2016
Date Completion: July 2017
Last Updated: February 16, 2016
Last Verified: July 2015
