Analysis of current density in the carpal tunnel region during an electrical accident by way of the finite element method

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has been diagnosed in as many as 10% of the hand-involved electrical contacts studied by the authors. Typically a CTS diagnosis is indicative of median nerve compression. Such would not be consistent with the known apparatus of electrical injury. Using the finite element method, current density has been evaluated in the carpal tunnel region during an electrical contact. The results indicate that while the majority of current does not transverse the nerve tissue, the current density is significantly elevated in the nerves as they traverse the carpal tunnel region. In certain circumstances, the localized current elevation could cause nerve damage which would masquerade as CTS when diagnostically tested.