Effects of Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome on the Clinical Characteristics of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Females

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The study aim was to determine the effects of benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS) on symptom severity and functional capacity in females with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) based on the findings of physical examinations. METHODS: One hundred female patients diagnosed with bilateral CTS in electrophysiological testing were included in this study. The participants were evaluated for BJHS using the Brighton 1998 criteria, and divided into two groups: one consisting of 56 CTS patients with BJHS, and the other comprising 44 CTS patients without BJHS. Tinel’s, Phalen’s, and reverse Phalen’s tests were applied to all patients, and the severity and functional capacity of CTS were evaluated using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire. RESULTS: Symptom severity and functional capacity varied significantly between the two groups in the right hand (p=0.037 and p=0.039, respectively) and in the left hand (p=0.016 and p=0.029). The hypermobile group yielded more positive results on the right side during Tinel’s, Phalen’s, and reverse Phalen’s tests (p=0.032, p=0.032, and p=0.018, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Hypermobility in females exacerbated the symptoms of CTS and led to a further reduction of functional capacity. Therefore, hypermobility should be tested and an intense exercise program should be implemented in BJHS patients, especially in females with CTS.