Association between carpal tunnel syndrome and shoulder pain: a case-control study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Neurology
• Pain Management

Background:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition affecting the median nerve.
• Shoulder pain, particularly around the scapular spine, is a frequent but often overlooked symptom.
• The relationship between CTS and shoulder pain requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of shoulder pain around the scapular spine in patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome.
• To compare this prevalence to that observed in the general population.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study design.
• Inclusion of patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Inclusion of a control group from the general population.
• Assessment of shoulder pain prevalence around the scapular spine via patient-reported outcomes.

Main Results:

• A significantly higher prevalence of shoulder pain around the scapular spine was observed in the carpal tunnel syndrome group (63%).
• The control group reported a substantially lower prevalence of shoulder pain (5%).
• This indicates a strong association between carpal tunnel syndrome and shoulder pain.

Conclusions:

• Shoulder pain around the scapular spine is highly prevalent in individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome.
• The findings suggest a potential link or comorbidity between carpal tunnel syndrome and ipsilateral shoulder pain.
• Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications.