Rudolfer et al reported several models for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. The authors used a questionnaire for clinical history. The authors are from the University of Manchester.
Patient selection: evaluate for carpal tunnel syndrome
Typical sites affected: thumb and thenar eminence, index finger, thumb side of middle finger
Parameters:
(1) location of sensory loss
(2) location wasting
(3) severity of wasting
(4) location of weakness
(5) severity of weakness
Parameter
Finding
Points
location of sensory loss
no sensory loss
0
first to third fingers
1
fourht and fifth fingers
2
all fingers
3
other
4
location of wasting
no wasting
0
thenar eminence
1
hypothenar eminence
2
other
3
severity of wasting
none
0
mild
1
moderate
2
severe
3
location of weakness
no weakness
0
thenar eminence
1
hypothenar eminence
2
other
3
severity of weakness
none
0
mild
1
moderate
2
severe
3
total score =
= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 16
• The higher the score the more significant the findings.
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