Radiographic Characteristics of the Distal Radius in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Case-Control Study

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common disorder with several known risk factors. However, the role of radiographic characteristics of the distal radius and risk factors of CTS has been overlooked.

To identify radiographic characteristics of the distal radius as the risk factors of CTS.

In a case-control study, 60 patients with CTS who underwent surgical treatment (case group) and 60 people who underwent radiographic evaluation for reasons other than CTS (control group) were included. The case and control participants were matched for age and sex. Radiographic records of the patients were reviewed in the picture archiving and communication system, and the distal radius characteristics, including volar tilt, radius slope, radius height, and ulnar variance, were investigated.

The Mean±SD volar tilt was 10.49±6.42º in the case group and 16.65±5.31º in the control group (P <0.001). The Mean±SD radius inclination angle was 19.58±4.72º in the case group and 17.88±4.88º in the control group (P=0.049). The Mean±SD height of radius was 10.30±3.21 mm in the case group and 12.24±5.33 mm in the control group (P=0.017). The Mean±SD ulnar variance was 1.36±1.43 mm in the case group and 0.75±0.27 mm in the control groups (P=0.002).

Radiological characteristics of the distal radius are significantly different between the CTS and non-CTS patients and could be regarded as the inherent risk factors of CTS development.