Carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy

One thousand consecutive postpartum patients were interviewed by questionnaire to establish the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy. Hand symptoms had been noted by 34%: 25% had had symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, 2% symptoms of ulnar nerve compression and 7% ill defined hand symptoms. Maternal and fetal age, parity and weight change did not correlate with the presence of symptoms. The rate of ring removal because of swelling was twice as great for the symptomatic women (73%) as for the asymptomatic women (36%), and the rates of pre-eclampsia, hypertension and edema were higher for the women with symptoms. Three quarters of the women had bilateral symptoms, and half of the multigravidas had had similar symptoms in previous pregnancies. Hand function and sleep were disturbed in 75% of the symptomatic women, yet only 46% of all those with symptoms mentioned their symptoms to their doctors; treatment was given to only 16% (35% of those who complained), and relief was obtained by only half of these.