Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume 25, Issue 1 , Pages 34-39, January 2009

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Finger Movement Dysfunction Caused By Tophaceous Gout: A Case Report

  • Yu-Chuan Lin

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • ,
  • Chung-Hwan Chen

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • ,
  • Yin-Chih Fu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • ,
  • Gau-Tyan Lin

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • ,
  • Je-Ken Chang

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  • ,
  • Sheang-Tsung Hu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence and reprint requests to: Dr Sheang-Tsung Hu, Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, 100 Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan

Received 6 August 2008; accepted 16 September 2008.

Article Outline

We describe a case of tophaceous gout with a combination of carpal tunnel syndrome and finger movement dysfunction. Carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to gout is uncommon. The concomitant presence of finger movement dysfunction is rare and suggests the involvement of the flexor tendons inside the carpal tunnel. Surgery is recommended to decompress the median nerve, to confirm the diagnosis, and for immediate improvement of flexor tendon excursion. Our patient's finger movement improved dramatically soon after surgery.

Key Words:  carpal tunnel syndrome , gout , finger movement dysfunction

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PII: S1607-551X(09)70038-5

doi:10.1016/S1607-551X(09)70038-5

Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume 25, Issue 1 , Pages 34-39, January 2009