Association Between Guyon’s Canal Syndrome and Hypothenar Muscle Weakness Among Call Center Agents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Guyon’s Canal Syndrome is an ulnar nerve entrapment often caused by repetitive wrist use and poor ergonomics. Objectives: To investigate the association between Guyon’s Canal Syndrome and hypothenar muscle weakness among call center agents. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 56 participants using convenience sampling. The study was completed within six months. Data were collected from call center agents in Lahore using Tinel’s sign to assess ulnar nerve irritation, and testing of the hypothenar muscles, abductor digiti minimi, and opponens digiti minimi was performed using Manual Muscle Testing (MMT). Results: A positive Tinel test was noted in 83.9% of subjects. MMT revealed that 60.7% exhibited grade 4 and 35.7% displayed grade 5 strength in the abductor digiti minimi, while 66.1% showed grade 4 and 28.6% demonstrated grade 5 strength in the opponens digiti minimi. A notable negative correlation emerged between Tinel test outcomes and abductor digiti minimi strength (r=–0.442, p<0.001), whereas the correlation with opponens digiti minimi strength was not statistically significant (r=–0.190, p=0.064). Conclusions: The study found a significant negative correlation between Tinel test results and abductor digiti minimi strength.