A relief maneuver in carpal tunnel syndrome.

We describe a maneuver that eases or abolishes paresthesias in carpal tunnel syndrome. With the affected hand palm up, the distal metacarpal heads are gently squeezed together; in some instances stretch of digits III and IV is also required. This maneuver may help in the clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, can be useful as a means of relieving symptoms, and provides the basis for the design of an innovative splint. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle and Nerve 22: 1587-1589, 1999