title: The relationship between neuropathic pain, and the function of the upper limbs based on clinical severity according to electrophysiological studies in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve, and CTS can cause neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between neuropathic pain, function of the upper limb, and the electrophysiology in patients with CTS. The terminal latency of median nerve was measured in 34 patients diagnosed with CTS, and they were asked to fill out the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand version of the Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH-JSSH) as the patient's assessment of the function of upper limbs and pain DETECT as an assessment for neuropathic pain. There was no significant correlation between the terminal latency and the pain DETECT score, or the terminal latency and the DASH-JSSH score. However, there was a significant correlation between the pain DETECT and DASH-JSSH scores. Neuropathic pain affects the function of the upper extremities in patients with CTS.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Motoki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sonohata
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuruta
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mine
authors.forename: Tadatsugu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morimoto
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mawatari
keywords: Neuropathic pain; carpal tunnel syndrome; electrophysiology; median nerve; painDETECT; quality of life; terminal latency.