Peer-reviewed research
The carpal tunnel syndrome. A study of carpal canal pressures
Richard H. Gelberman et al., Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American volume), 1981
Read the originalRead on October 16, 2026
- What it is
- A 1981 study that inserted a wick catheter to measure pressure inside the carpal canal of 15 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and 12 control subjects, with the wrist in neutral, flexed and extended positions.
- How much weight it carries
- Peer-reviewed and widely cited, and the measurements are direct. The sample is small, the wrist positions were held for measurement rather than during normal activity, and the study predates modern imaging, so it shows mechanism rather than how often the condition develops.
Facts taken from this source
- In the 1981 study, control subjects without carpal tunnel syndrome had a mean carpal canal pressure of 2.5 millimeters of mercury with the wrist in neutral position.
“The pressure in the control subjects with the wrist in neutral position was 2.5 millimeters of mercury” (Abstract)
- In the same 1981 study, the mean carpal canal pressure in patients rose to 110 millimeters of mercury with the wrist extended 90 degrees back toward the forearm, the highest reading the study reported for patients.
“while with 90 degrees of wrist extension the mean pressure was 110 millimeters of mercury” (Abstract)
- In the same 1981 study, the mean carpal canal pressure in patients rose to 94 millimeters of mercury with the wrist flexed 90 degrees toward the palm.
“With 90 degrees of wrist flexion the pressure increased to ninety-four millimeters of mercury” (Abstract)
- In a 1981 study of 15 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, the mean pressure inside the carpal canal was 32 millimeters of mercury with the wrist in neutral position.
“When the wrist was in neutral position, the mean pressure was thirty-two millimeters of mercury.” (Abstract)