Effect of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome on Grip and Pinch Strength Compared With Sex‐ and Age‐Matched Normative Data

OBJECTIVE: To compare grip and pinch strength of individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to normative values before and after a combined splint/stretching intervention. METHODS: Data collected on grip and pinch strength on 124 subjects with CTS were compared to age- and sex-matched normative data. RESULTS: In general, our sample had significantly lower strength than the normative sample at baseline. Although there were significant improvements in strength after 4 weeks of splinting/exercise, subjects continued to have significant deficits in comparison to the normative data. CONCLUSION: Patients with CTS have moderate to large deficits in grip and pinch strength in comparison to normative data. Splinting/stretching may reduce these deficits; however, CTS patients are often left with residual problems at 4 weeks.