Electrodiagnostic study of carpal tunnel syndrome in wheelchair basketball players.

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE-DESIGN-SUBJECTS: Compression neuropathies are common injuries about the wrist in wheelchair athletes. Thirty-three world-class wheelchair basketball players were studied electrodiagnostically to determine the prevalence and severity of median neuropathy at the wrist in these athletes.

RESULTS

Thirty percent of these athletes had symptoms consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and 70% of these had electrodiagnostic confirmation of this injury. Overall, 52% of the 33 athletes had electrodiagnostic findings of median neuropathy at the wrist with nine athletes (27%) exhibiting bilateral abnormalities. Four athletes (12%) had abnormal electrodiagnostic findings involving the ulnar nerve at the wrist.

CONCLUSIONS

This prevalence of CTS in wheelchair basketball players appears to be similar to that found in the general paraplegic population. Early recognition and treatment of CTS in these athletes are recommended to avoid chronic problems.