[Post-traumatic carpal tunnel syndrome]

In the course of a ten months study on 508 patients with CTS a trauma as a possible causal factor was observed in 22 cases. In none of these cases did the other hand show normal electroneurographic parameters. The mean values of distal motor latency were among 5.5 ms (3.7-9.2 ms) on the injured side and 4.6 (3.5-6.7 ms) on the other. The relatively seldom occurrence of CTS in connection with a trauma requires therefore strict criteria for the evaluation of the casual context. A traumatic etiology can only be recognised if a close temporal relation exists (beginning of the symptomatology during immobilisation or after removal of the cast) or a special tendency to swelling or a dislocation as well as a clear difference in electroneurographic values of the two sides can be observed. Depending on the degree of this difference in latency one can maintain criteria for evaluating the question of causality or of transient or permanent deterioration. Finally in case of CTS the treatment should be given primary importance ahead of reimbursement for the injury.