[Measurement of carpal tunnel pressures in the idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome without motor deficit].

The pressure in the carpal tunnel was measured in ten patients suffering from purely painful carpal tunnel syndrome. Five normal individuals were also investigated as controls. It was shown that the pressure was always high in involved patients. A rise of pressure on flexion and extension of the wrist was much greater in patients than in controls. It is concluded that true compression plays the main role in carpal tunnel syndrome. A localised tenosynovitis was constantly found at operation. It was responsible for the rise of pressure inducing a functional ischaemia of the nerve.