Prevalence of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome among Pregnant Women in Lahore City

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common neuropathies and pregnancy is a risk factor of CTS. The frequency of CTS during pregnancy, especially that according to the gestational age, is not well determined, and here we attempted to determine it in three hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. By the use of non-probability purposive sampling method, 286 samples of pregnant females were collected. The diagnosis of CTS was made using Phalens test and others. Phalen test was positive in 20.8, 29.6, and 45.3% during 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester, respectively. The questionnaire data indicated that CTS was present in 11.2, 37.0 and 49.5% in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester, respectively. Swelling of the joint was observed in 31.6, 51.9 and 77.8% in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester, respectively. The same tendency of the occurrence of CTS according to the three trimesters was observed when using nerve compression test or Tinels test.