Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Carpal tunnel syndrome in children.

Paul M Lamberti1, Terry R Light

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. First Ave., Maywood, IL 60153, USA. paull56@prodigy.net

Hand Clinics
|October 10, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is rare in children but can be caused by various conditions. Early diagnosis and bilateral electrodiagnostic studies are crucial for effective treatment, with open operative release being the only proven therapy.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The History of Academic Leadership Education in Orthopaedic Surgery.

JB & JS open access·2024
Same author

Treatment of Fourth and Fifth Carpometacarpal Fracture-Dislocations in Punching Injuries With Motion-Sparing Hamate Fixation Spring Plates: "Rabbit Ears" Plating.

Techniques in hand & upper extremity surgery·2023
Same author

The Characterization of Social Media in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Survey Study of 312 Residents and Applicants.

JB & JS open access·2022
Same author

Overcoming Barriers to Hand Surgical Care in Low-Resource Settings.

Hand clinics·2019
Same author

The Value of Senior Mentorship Among Orthopaedic Surgeons.

The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·2019
Same author

Kienböck Disease in a Patient with Congenital Synostosis of the Lunate and the Triquetrum: A Case Report.

JBJS case connector·2017

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Nerve Conduction Studies

Background:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is infrequently diagnosed in pediatric populations.
  • Genetic factors (lysosomal storage diseases, family history) and macrodactyly can predispose children to CTS.
  • Idiopathic cases occur, even in healthy children, presenting diagnostic challenges.

Observation:

  • Children with CTS often exhibit subtle, long-standing symptoms like reduced manual dexterity or vague pain.
  • Clinical presentation can be misleading, with severe thenar weakness and atrophy mimicking primary thenar hypoplasia.
  • Traditional provocative tests (Tinel, Phalen) are frequently negative in pediatric CTS cases.

Findings:

  • Electrodiagnostic studies, including electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS), are essential for accurate diagnosis.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Pediatric CTS often presents with bilateral electrophysiologic abnormalities, irrespective of unilateral clinical involvement.
  • Bilateral EMG and NCS are recommended for all suspected pediatric cases, with sedation potentially aiding small children.

    • Implications:

    • Delayed diagnosis is common due to subtle symptoms and unreliable provocative tests.
    • Profound atrophy in young patients can lead to misdiagnosis as congenital thenar hypoplasia.
    • Open operative release is the sole established effective treatment for pediatric carpal tunnel syndrome.