Correlation of carpal tunnel size and conduction velocity of the sensory median and ulnar nerves of male and female controls and carpet weavers.

The relation of the carpal tunnel parameters (area, width, and depth) measured by computerized axial tomography to the conduction velocity of the sensory median and ulnar nerves was studied in the right and left hands of the 24 male and 32 female controls and 64 carpet weavers (40 women, 24 men). There were sex- and hand-related differences in these relationships in the two groups. Analysis suggested that carpal tunnel size cannot be responsible for the disorders of sensory nerve conduction in hands; repetitive hand movements, such as carpet weaving, may destroy the normal relation of carpal canal size to velocity of sensory nerve conduction.