title: Carpal tunnel syndrome with thenar atrophy: evaluation of the pinch and grip strength in patients undergoing surgical treatment.
abstract: This aim of this study was to evaluate the progression of grip, tip pinch, key (lateral) pinch, and tripod pinch strengths in patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome with thenar atrophy following surgery. Between October 2008 and May 2010, 46 patients (49 hands) with carpal tunnel syndrome associated with thenar atrophy underwent surgery. Thenar atrophy was assessed by clinical inspection. Evaluations for grip strength and for tip, key, and tripod pinch strengths were made using a hydraulic hand dynamometer grip and a hydraulic pinch gauge, respectively. These measurements were taken before surgery and at 3 and 6 months after the procedure. When we compared the averages of all forces measured in the affected hand before the surgery with all forces measured at 3 months postoperative, we found no significant differences. However, after 6 months, we found significant differences for all four strength tests as compared with those measurements taken preoperatively and at the 3 month time point. Our results suggest that patients with thenar atrophy show increased grip strength and pinch strength by the sixth month after surgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Borges Lagoa 1065, cj 68/69, São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil 04038-032.
authors.forename: Carlos H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Borges Lagoa 1065, cj 68/69, São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil 04038-032.
authors.forename: Lia M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Meirelles
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Borges Lagoa 1065, cj 68/69, São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil 04038-032.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raduan Neto
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Borges Lagoa 1065, cj 68/69, São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil 04038-032.
authors.forename: Luis R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Nakachima
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Borges Lagoa 1065, cj 68/69, São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil 04038-032.
authors.forename: João B G
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Borges Lagoa 1065, cj 68/69, São Paulo, São Paulo Brazil 04038-032.
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Faloppa
keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome; Grip; Hand strength; Pinch; Thenar atrophy