Dropping Objects in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Clinical and Electrophysiological Features

Background Dysfunction in both afferent sensory and efferent motor components of the median nerve may contribute to the manifestation of the symptom of dropping objects (DO) in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The objective of this study was to compare the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of CTS patients with dropping objects (wDO) and those without dropping objects (w/oDO). The study evaluated the correlation between DO symptoms and median partial conduction block, as well as the reduction in median motor conduction velocity at the wrist. Methodology An examination for CTS and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) were performed. Median and ulnar sensory and motor nerve conduction studies were conducted in both upper extremities, and the percentage decrease in the median compound motor action potential amplitude at the wrist level was calculated. Results The study included 201 female participants aged between 22 and 88 years, comprising 57 patients with CTSwDO, 78 patients with CTSw/oDO, and 66 healthy controls. In the CTSwDO group, compared to the CTSw/oDO group, BCTQ scores were significantly higher, the prevalence of sensory deficits was more pronounced, and a larger number of hands, both dominant and non-dominant, were classified as stage 3 or higher in the clinical CTS classification. However, no correlation was found between the presence of DO symptoms and any neurophysiological findings. Conclusions DO may be a symptom of clinical severity in CTS, as previously reported. No neurophysiological parameter that could be associated with DO was identified.