Three-dimensional finite element analysis of carpal tunnel under palmarly directed stretch force

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has been defined as an entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve. Most of the biomechanical research of CTS focused on in vitro experimental tests and measurement, along with a few numerical model and analysis focused on the load transfer and stress distribution of carpal bones, which lack of the consideration of the whole carpal tunnel structure. Based on CT scan images, this article made an initial attempt to develop a three-dimensional finite element model of the carpal tunnel, which includes carpal bones, transverse carpal ligaments (TCL) and intercarpal ligaments in one solid tunnel structure. The morphological changes of TCL and carpal tunnel under palmarly directed stretch force on TCL were obtained by the use of finite element analysis. A comparative study was made between the numerical and the experimental results, and this model proved to be able to serve as guides to related biomechanical studies on carpal tunnel syndrome.