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J Wrist Surg 2014; 03(04): 220-226
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1394133
Special Focus Section: Transverse Carpal Ligament
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Pathophysiology: Role of Subsynovial Connective Tissue

Jean-David R. Werthel
1   Biomechanics Laboratory, Division of Orthopedic Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
,
Chunfeng Zhao
1   Biomechanics Laboratory, Division of Orthopedic Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
,
Kai-Nan An
1   Biomechanics Laboratory, Division of Orthopedic Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
,
Peter C. Amadio
1   Biomechanics Laboratory, Division of Orthopedic Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
24 October 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a very common pathology. Its most common diagnosis is idiopathic. Although it is accepted that chronic increase in pressure within the carpal tunnel is responsible for median nerve neuropathy, the exact pathophysiology leading to this pressure increase remains unknown. All the histological studies of the carpal tunnel in the CTS find a noninflammatory thickening of the subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT), which seems to be a characteristic of this pathology. Numerous animal models have been developed to recreate CTS in vivo to develop and improve preventive strategies and effective conservative treatments by a better understanding of its pathophysiology. The creation of a shear injury of the SSCT in a rabbit model induced similar modifications to what is observed in CTS, suggesting that this could be a pathway leading to idiopathic CTS.

Keywords

carpal tunnel - subsynovial connective tissue - animal models
 

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