Familial carpal tunnel syndrome in three generations of a black family.

This is a report of familial carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurring in seven members of three generations of a black family. Two of the cases had associated flexor tendonitis with trigger finger symptoms. Twenty members of four generations had nerve conduction studies. The age of those affected by CTS ranged from 29 to 67 years of age. Two subjects to date required bilateral CTS surgical releases. The familial CTS appears to have an autosomal dominant pattern of CTS inheritance with high penetrance. This is believed to be the first report of familial CTS in a black family.