Bilateral simultaneous open carpal tunnel release: a prospective study of postoperative activities of daily living and patient satisfaction

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine patient function and satisfaction prospectively after bilateral simultaneous open carpal tunnel release (CTR). Methods: Twenty patients (40 CTR) completed a questionnaire regarding postoperative activities of daily living (ADL), return to work, procedure satisfaction (visual analog scale), and willingness to have the surgery again. Results: The average patient age was 43 years (range, 23–73 y). The hardest task was opening a jar; the easiest task was using the bathroom. Other tasks on the list in descending order of difficulty included driving, household chores, carrying groceries, buttoning, bathing, cooking, writing, dressing, shopping, holding a book, eating, computer use, and holding a phone. Average return to work was 2.6 weeks (range, 3 d–6 wk). Average satisfaction with the surgery was 9.6 of 10 (range, 8–10); 20 of 20 patients (100%) would have the bilateral simultaneous surgery again. Conclusions: These data are useful for patient education and decision making when considering surgery in patients with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and show that bilateral simultaneous open CTR is a feasible and useful procedure.