Concerning the Wrist-to-Forearm-Ratio of the Median nerve ultrasound is not a suitable method for assessing the success of a carpal tunnel release

Abstract

The primary aim of the study was to analyze whether there is and - if so - how far a correlation between the clinical findings after carpal tunnel release (CTR) for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and the Wrist-to-Forearm-Ratio (WFR) of the median nerve in ultrasound to answer is question whether the WFR can be used in controlling the operative result. In a prospective study the clinical, electrophysiological, and sonographic data of 40 patients with CTR for CTS were collected preoperative and 3 and 9 months postoperative. The data of 21 patients with 23 operated hands completing the study were analyzed. There were 5 men and 16 women with an average age of 58 years. Neither a correlation between the clinical findings postoperative and the WFR nor the electrophysiological findings postoperative was found. Concerning the Wrist-to-Forearm-Ration of the Median nerve ultrasound is not a suitable method for assessing the success of a carpal tunnel release.