Background: Dental professionals are prone to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and other nerve-related disorders as they perform repetitive wrist work with static physical position for long hours.
Objectives: To evaluate the relationship of thumb radial abduction angle with handgrip strength, hand dexterity, and CTS susceptibility among Saudi senior dental students and interns. The study also intends to compare thumb radial abduction angle based on the gender.
Methods: A convenient sample of 100 Saudi dental students and interns participated in the study. Their handgrip strength, dexterity, and thumb radial abduction angle were measured by the use of Jamar dynamometer, nine-hole peg test, and goniometer, respectively. Questionnaires were distributed among the participants to assess CTS susceptibility and its association with thumb radial abduction angle. Regression analysis, Pearson's correlation, and independent t-test were performed to analyze the data.
Results: A significant correlation between thumb radial abduction angle and handgrip strength was observed. An association of handgrip strength with CTS susceptibility was also found. No significant relationships were drawn considering hand dexterity. Handgrip strength and dexterity were found to be higher in males when compared to females, however, females were observed to be more susceptible to CTS.
Conclusion: The study concludes a significant association between thumb radial abduction angle and handgrip strength that is further related with CTS. The results of the study can be used as a foundation for several academicians' research in this domain.
Keywords: CTS; hand dexterity; handgrip strength; thumb radial abduction.