Thenar Muscle Atrophy Research Articles

Clinical results of carpal tunnel Re-release revision surgery and synovial wrap for recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome

IntroductionCarpal tunnel syndrome is a challenging condition when conventional carpal tunnel revision surgery fails to alleviate symptoms. This study aims to assess the outcomes of combining carpal tunnel revision surgery with a synovial wrap for cases of recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome in patients who had adhered median nerve, with a minimum 1-year follow-up. Patients and methodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 10 patients (mean age: 73.7 years, nine females and one male) who underwent treatment for recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. The approach involved carpal tunnel revision surgery coupled with a median nerve synovial wrap. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 1 year. The procedure involved harvesting a 3.5 cm × 4 cm section of the flexor synovial membrane with a distal ulnar pedicle, which was then wrapped around the adherent site of the median nerve. Physical assessments included the pain visual analogue scale (VAS), Tinel sign in the carpal tunnel, thenar muscle atrophy, the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test (SW test), manual muscle test (MMT) as assessed on the 5-point British Medical Research Council Scale (5/5, normal; 0/5, absent), and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire. The physical variables were compared before surgery and at final follow-up. ResultsAll patients showed some improvement in SW test. The MMT for the abductor pollicis brevis showed significant improvement at final follow-up (3 for four patients, 4 for four patients, and 5 for two patients) compared to pre-surgery assessments (2 for six patients, 3 for two patients, and 4 for two patients). The mean VAS score and DASH score at final follow-up (13.0 ± 10.3, 19.3 ± 12.7, respectively) were significantly lower than those recorded before surgery (76.5 ± 11.1, 52.4 ± 17.1, respectively). The Tinel sign and the thenar muscle atrophy significantly improved from before surgery to final follow-up. ConclusionCarpal tunnel release with a synovial wrap demonstrated significant improvements in muscle strength, pain relief and function. The synovial wrap method is an effective procedure for treating recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome.

Opposition Transfer Using the Extensor Indicis Muscle and the Extensor Pollicis Brevis Tendon

PurposeThis study aimed to introduce a novel technique utilizing the extensor pollicis brevis and extensor indicis proprius tendons as power sources for thumb opposition reconstruction in cases of severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) associated with thenar muscle atrophy. Further, the efficacy of this novel method and the traditional Camitz technique was compared. MethodsPatients with severe CTS and thumb opposition dysfunction who underwent surgery using the novel technique (n = 7, 9 surgeries) or the Camitz technique (n = 8, 8 surgeries) were included in the analysis. The pre- and postoperative palmar abduction angle, thumb–ring finger opposition (T–R) angle, and Kapandji score were assessed. The repeated measures ANOVA and the Mann–Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. ResultsThe novel technique was associated with a significant postoperative improvement in palmar abduction angle, T–R angle, and Kapandji score. In particular, the T–R angle of patients who underwent surgery using this technique was superior to that of patients who underwent surgery using the Camitz technique. Therefore, the novel technique was highly effective in improving thumb pronation. ConclusionThe novel technique using the extensor pollicis brevis and extensor indicis proprius tendons is promising for thumb opposition reconstruction in severe CTS cases. Unlike the traditional Camitz technique, this approach promotes stable thumb opposition function without requiring a pulley, thereby yielding satisfactory outcomes. Nevertheless, further studies with a larger sample size should be conducted to validate these findings.

Infiltration Technique for the Fourth FDS Opponensplasty Under WALANT

Background: Wide-awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) is a surgical technique that relies on anesthetic and hemostatic agents to provide conditions suitable for hand surgery without sedation and a tourniquet. The opponensplasty using the fourth flexor digitorum superficialis tendon transfer with the pisiform pulley is one of the most used in severe carpal tunnel syndrome patient who is unable to perform thumb opposition due to thenar muscle atrophy with the benefit of small incision, less soft tissue dissection, easy to perform, good esthetic result and has minor morbidity. Key advantages of the pisiform pulley provide balancing abduction and flexion strength of the thumb. To date, there is no report using the WALANT technique for the fourth flexor digitorum superficialis opponensplasty with pisiform pulley. Materials and Method: Between January 2019 and January 2022, 18 patients (4 males and 14 females) with severe carpal tunnel syndrome with thenar muscle atrophy underwent fourth flexor digitorum superficialis opponensplasty as day surgery under the WALANT technique. Operative data, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, and complications were recorded. All patients underwent the procedure without any complications. Results: The average age of the patients was 58.4 (43 to 62) year-old. The average operative time was 38.4 (17 to 47) minutes. The average VAS score during the anesthetic injection was 6.43 (4 to -8). The average VAS pain score during the operation was 2.1 (1 to 3). The mean intraoperative blood loss was 3 (2.6 to 6.2) mL. Conclusions: The WALANT technique is safe and can be used as alternative anesthesia for the fourth flexor digitorum superficialis opponensplasty with pisiform pulley. This technique overcomes the problem of judging the appropriate amount of transfer tension by observing awake patients actively. Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic study, level IV

Serum levels of Interleukin-6 in patients with Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A case control study in Najaf Province

Background: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a disease caused by a compression of the median nerve at the wrist within carpal canal that lead to multiple symptoms as paraesthesia, numbness and pain sensation in the median distribution fingers. If untreated, it leads to sensation loss, thenar muscle weakness and atrophy. It is most frequent peripheral neuropathy of upper limbs and is most predominant in female gender. The pathogenesis of CTS is yet unknown, and the majority of conditions are idiopathic. Interleukin 6 is a cytokine that has multiple functions including pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory or regenerative actions. The impact of serum inflammatory cytokines on incidence and severity of CTS is still unclear. Aim of the study: this study aims to correlate the clinical severity of CTS and the serum interleukin 6 concentrations. Patients and methods: This is a case control study which involved 140 participants who were categorized into 70 patients with CTS and 70 healthy persons according to clinical assessment and nerve conduction study results. After that, the participants were divided to normal, mild, moderate and severe groups according to Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire (BCTQ). Then, a blood sample was taken from each participant to assess serum interleukin 6 levels. A statistical analysis by SPSS was done for the collected data. Results: The study has shown that there was no significant correlation between serum interleukin 6 levels and the clinical severity score of CTS (P value >0.05). Conclusion: It has been concluded that serum interleukin 6 levels did not have an impact on incidence and clinical severity of CTS and that its role in CTS is yet unclear.

Surgical outcome of open carpal tunnel release: A 2-year case series study at Zliten Teaching Hospital, Libya

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most commonly diagnosed peripheral neuropathy, with a prevalence of 1 – 16% within the general population. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent dysfunctionality and disability. This study aimed to determine the outcomes and complications associated with open carpal tunnel release surgery (OCTR), compare the presentation of CTS symptoms before and after the operation, and investigate the factors contributing to post-operative complications. To achieve these objectives, a case series design was employed, and the study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology in Zliten Teaching Hospital, Libya, from January 2016 to December 2018. A total of 256 patients who had opted to undergo OCTR of the transverse carpal ligament during the preoperative stage were enrolled and prospectively followed up for 2 years. The post-operative follow-up analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction in symptoms such as dull aching discomfort in the hand and forearm, as well as paresthesia and numbness when compared to the pre-operative period (10.2% vs. 90.5%; P < 0.0001). However, there were no significant differences in clumsiness (18.8% vs. 25.8%; P = 0.256) or thenar muscle atrophy (1.6% vs. 5.0%; P = 0.194). The majority of the patients (90.6%) expressed high levels of satisfaction with the procedure, reporting no recurrence of symptoms. In contrast, only 9.4% of patients experienced post-operative complications. The study findings revealed no significant correlation between post-operative complications and body mass index (P = 0.194). Nonetheless, a statistically significant association was observed between the severity of nerve conduction and post-operative complications (P = 0.011). In summary, the open release of the transverse carpal ligament resulted in positive surgical outcomes.

Case Series: Wide-Awake Local Anaesthesia Without Tourniquet (WALANT) for Camitz Transfer.

Background: Wide-Awake Local Anaesthesia Without Tourniquet (WALANT), with the benefit of simplicity and a low complication rate, is a well-recognised procedure in orthopaedic surgery. To date, there is no report using WALANT technique with the Camitz transfer procedure. The aim of this study is to determine the early outcomes of using WALANT for Camitz transfer and compare these with outcomes of similar procedures in literature. Methods: Between January 2012 and January 2018, all patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with thenar muscle atrophy who underwent the Camitz transfer procedure as day surgery under the WALANT technique at the Thammasat University Hospital were included. With the WALANT technique, the 10 mL of prepared anaesthesia was injected into the area around the palmaris longus tendon from 5-cm proximal to the distal wrist crease to the distal palmar crease, while an additional 10 mL was injected from the radial side of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb to the distal wrist crease before the operation. Upon completion of the operation, the patients' hand was placed in a thumb spica splint. Patient demographic data, visual analogue scale (VAS) during injection and during procedure, operative time, blood lost and complications were recorded. Results: Thirty-six patients (8 males and 28 females) were included. The average age of the patients was 65.9 (37-87) years old. The average VAS score during the anaesthetic injection was 6.22 (5-8). The average VAS pain score during the operation was 0.52 (0-3). The average operative time was 27.06 (17-47) minutes. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 3 (2.4-6.8) mL. All patients underwent the procedure without any complications. Conclusions: The WALANT technique is safe and can be used as alternative anaesthesia for the Camitz transfer. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic).

Delayed Surgical Treatment in Patients with Chronic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Is Still Effective in the Improvement of Hand Function.

Background and Objectives: Severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compression neuropathy in the upper extremities treated conservatively; later, when advanced, CTS is treated mostly surgically. The most prevalent symptoms comprise numbness, as well as sensation loss in the thumb, index, and middle finger, and thenar muscle strength loss, resulting in impaired daily functioning for patients. Data on the results of CTS treatment in patients with delayed surgical intervention are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the postoperative results of chronic carpal tunnel syndrome treatment in patients with symptoms lasting for at least 5 years. Materials and Methods: A total of 86 patients (69 females, 17 males) with a mean age of 58 years reporting symptoms of CTS for at least 5 years (mean: 8.5 years) were prospectively studied. The average follow-up time was 33 months. All patients underwent the surgical open decompression of the median nerve at the wrist. A preoperative observation was composed of an interview and a clinical examination. The subjects completed the DASH (the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand), PRWE (Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation), and self-report questionnaires. Global grip strength, sensory discrimination, characteristic symptoms of CTS, and thenar muscle atrophy were examined. Postoperatively, clinical and functional examinations were repeated, and patients expressed their opinions by completing a BCTQ (Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire). Results: We found improvements in daily activities and hand function postoperatively. Overall, 88% of patients were satisfied with the outcome of surgery. DASH scores decreased after surgery from 44.82 to 14.12 at p < 0.001. PRWE questionnaire scores decreased from 53.34 to 15.19 at p < 0.001. The mean score of the BCTQ on the scale regarding the severity of symptoms was 1.48 and 1.62 on the scale regarding function after surgery. No significant differences were found in the scores between the male and female groups or between age groups (p > 0.05). A significant increase in global grip strength from 16.61 kg to 21.91 kg was observed postoperatively at p < 0.001. No significant difference was detected in the measurement of sensory discrimination (6.02 vs. 5.44). In most of the examined patients, night numbness and wrist pain subsided after surgery at p < 0.001. Thenar muscle atrophy diminished after surgery at p < 0.001. Conclusions: Most patients were satisfied with the results of CTS surgery regarding the open decompression of the median nerve even after 5 years of ineffective conservative treatment. Significant improvement of the hand function was confirmed in the functional studies.

Development andvalidation ofa clinical model forpredicting the severity ofcarpal tunnel syndrome.

To develop a clinical instrument to assess carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) severity before electrodiagnostic testing. Data from 1037 patients with CTS (39.1% male) were included. The mean (SD) age was 58.0 (10.8) years. The severity of CTS was based on electrodiagnostic findings. We devised a composite index incorporating a pain numeric rating scale (NRS) rated from 0 (no pain at all) to 10 (the worst pain ever possible), thenar muscle weakness or atrophy (TW), cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve (mm2), and nocturnal pain (NP). The index was calculated as [scale(NRS)+scale(CSA)+NP+TW]/4, where NP and TW are binary features (0 or 1). The accuracy and area under the curve of the index were 0.85 and 0.71, respectively (Cohen's Kappa = 0.51, McNemar's test P = 0.249). The index increased pretest probabilities by 1.6, 1.8, and 3.3 times with positive likelihood ratios of 3.3, 2.5, and 13.5, and false-positive rates of 26.6, 17.6, and 4.8% for mild, moderate, and severe CTS, respectively. The index thresholds for mild, moderate, and severe CTS were <0.8, ≥0.8 to <1.1, and ≥1.1, respectively. Using a composite index, patients with CTS can be categorized for the severity of the syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome with thenar muscle atrophy: Camitz procedure + OCTR versus FDS4 opponensplasty + ECTR

People with severe carpal tunnel syndrome with thenar muscle atrophy suffer from loss of dexterity of the affected hand, which hinders their daily lives. There are different options for opponensplasty. The more traditional option is Camitz operation combined with open carpal tunnel release (OCTR). Another option is to use the flexor digitorum superficialis of the ring finger (FDS4) for opponensplasty and to combine it with endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR). In this study, we prospectively compared the surgical outcomes of these two methods. A total of 27 cases were recruited (13 Camitz + OCTR; 14 FDS 4 + ECTR). Both groups showed good improvement in numbness, pulp-pinch strength, Kapandji score, thumb dexterity and hand function. The technique of FDS4 + ECTR had additional benefits of earlier restoration of thumb opposition and dexterity. In addition, FDS4 + ECTR was demonstrated to restore stronger pulp-pinch strength.

Does Revision Carpal Tunnel Release Result in Long-Term Outcomes Equivalent to Single Carpal Tunnel Release? A Matched Case-Control Analysis.

The aims of this study were to evaluate long-term patient-reported outcomes after revision carpal tunnel release (CTR); compare these outcomes with those of patients who had a single CTR and a comparable age, sex, race, type of initial surgery, and follow-up time; and assess which factors are associated with worse patient-reported outcomes after revision CTR. The authors retrospectively identified 7351 patients who had a single CTR and 113 patients who had a revision CTR for carpal tunnel syndrome between January of 2002 and December of 2015 at five academic urban hospitals. Of these 113 revision CTR cases, 37 patients completed a follow-up questionnaire including the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), the Numerical Rating Scale for Pain Intensity, and satisfaction score. Those who completed the follow-up questionnaire were randomly matched to five controls (patients who had a single CTR) based on age, sex, race, type of initial surgery, and follow-up time. Of these 185 matched controls, 65 completed the follow-up questionnaire. A linear mixed effects model using matched sets as a random effect showed that patients who had a revision CTR had a higher total BCTQ score, Numerical Rating Scale for Pain Intensity score, and a lower satisfaction score at time of follow-up than patients who had a single CTR. Multivariable linear regression showed that thenar muscle atrophy before the revision surgery was independently associated with more pain after revision surgery. Patients improve after revision CTR, but generally have more pain, have a higher BCTQ score, and are less satisfied at long-term follow-up compared with patients who had a single CTR.

Anti-cancer therapeutic agents and carpal tunnel syndrome: Clinical, electrodiagnostic, and ultrasound findings in seven patients.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy and rarely develops after drug therapy. This study describes the clinical, electrodiagnostic (EDX), and ultrasound (US) findings in seven patients who experienced CTS due to anti-cancer therapeutic agents. All patients underwent EDX testing, and four patients had an US study. CTS occurred in four patients with aromatase inhibitors, two with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and one with a selective estrogen receptor modulator. The mean duration between initiation of the anti-cancer therapeutic agents and symptom onset was 6 weeks (range: 2-12 weeks). Decreased digit sensation was noted in all patients; wasting and weakness of the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) was observed in three (42.8%) patients. The compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) of the APB and sensory nerve action potentials of the second or third digit could not be recorded in two (28.5%) and four (57.1%) patients, respectively. The needle EMG detected fibrillations and positive sharp waves in the APB in two patients. The motor unit potentials of the APB were decreased with large polyphasics in three (42.8%) patients. Of the four patients who underwent US testing, all had increased cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet, three (75%) had thenar muscle atrophy, and two (50%) had a loss of fascicular pattern. Three (42.8%) patients underwent a CTR. Physicians should be cognizant of the relationship between anti-cancer therapeutic agents and CTS. EDX studies and US play important roles in the diagnostic assessment of such patients.

Simultaneous Limited Incision Carpal Tunnel Release and Flexor Digitorum Superficialis Opponensplasty Using a Transverse Carpal Ligament Pulley: Surgical Technique and Case Series.

Severe thenar muscle atrophy resulting in dysfunctional thumb abduction and opposition is a well-documented finding associated with long-standing severe carpal tunnel syndrome. This problem has been addressed in the past through various opposition tendon transfers. Historically, the Camitz procedure, or its modifications using the palmaris longus tendon, were recommended. However, this procedure requires a long incision in the palm, extensive dissection including the wrist area, and may not produce active thumb pronation. Our surgical technique describes an open limited palmar-only carpal tunnel release with ring finger flexor digitorum superficialis opponensplasty using a slit through the released transverse carpal ligament as a pulley and dual insertion of the tendon in both the extensor hood and the tendon of the abductor pollicis brevis. The Kapandji evaluation of thumb opposition was used to determine the outcome after surgery.

LITERATURE REVIEW: PENGARUH PEMBERIAN VITAMIN B TERHADAP PERBAIKAN KLINIS PASIEN DENGAN CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an entrapment neuropathy with symptoms such as hand pain, paresthesias in the fingers innervated by the median nerve, weakness, and thenar muscle atrophy. The purpose of this literature review is to analyze the effectiveness of vitamin B administration on clinical improvement in CTS patients. Data were obtained by searching using Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct published from 2011 to 2021. After the article selection process, 7 articles were included in this literature review, of which there were two articles showing that vitamin B6 can improve clinical symptoms of patients with CTS, one article showed that methylcobalamin had an effect on clinical improvement of CTS with and without DM, and 4 articles showed that the combination of vitamins B1, B6, and B12 was effective in reducing the VAS and TSS of subjects with CTS. Vitamin B6, methylcobalamin, and a combination of vitamins B1, B6, and B12 are effective as conservative therapy in improving clinical symptoms in patients with mild to moderate CTS

Cervical Nerve Root Cavernoma – Case Report and Literature Review

Spinal cavernous angiomas are uncommon vascular malformations in the spine accounting for 5%-12% of all spinal vascular lesions. When present in an intradural extra-medullary location, these usually present with radicular pain and neurological deficits due to mass effect (myelopathy). Herein, we present an atypical presentation of cavernous angioma in a 54-year-old man with tinnitus, headache and sensorineural hearing loss. We have also reviewed 51 cases of intradural extramedullary cavernous angiomas including our case with respect to demographic and clinical profile. A 54-year-old man presented with tinnitus in the left ear and occipital headache with neck pain and slight weakness of left-hand grip along with atrophy of thenar muscles. His pure tone audiometry (PTA) test reveled mild left sensorineural hearing loss. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cervical spine showed T2WI heterogeneously hyperintense left intradural extramedullary lesion at C7 vertebral body level. It was avidly enhancing with contrast. The patient underwent C7 laminectomy with a midline durotomy and complete excision of the lesion under neuromonitoring with sacrifice of the C8 sensory root. His symptoms improved following the surgery. The diagnosis of a cavernoma in an unusual location in the presence of cranial nerve dysfunction needs a high degree of diagnostic suspicion. Most of these cavernomas have a nerve root origin or attachment. The optimal treatment is microsurgical en bloc resection which leads to an effective resolution of both the symptoms.

Reawakening Neuritis of the Median Nerve after Carpal Tunnel Release: Defining and Predicting Patients at Risk.

Patients with long-standing carpal tunnel symptoms may develop transient and, paradoxically, worsened neuropathic pain immediately following release. The authors have termed this "reawakening phenomenon." The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of patients with this phenomenon to those with a standard postoperative course. A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent carpal tunnel release at a single institution between January of 2012 to December of 2017. Patients demonstrating increased neuropathic pain in the median nerve distribution postoperatively without evidence of complex regional pain syndrome were included. A comparison cohort was composed of the remaining patients identified. Demographic data, medical history, carpal tunnel history, and electromyogram and nerve conduction study findings were recorded. A total of 640 patients were identified; 440 met criteria. Seventeen patients were found to have symptoms consistent with median nerve reawakening phenomenon. The reawakening cohort was older (71.1 versus 56.8 years), more likely to have evidence of thenar muscle atrophy (58.8 percent versus 13.48 percent), and more likely to have fibrillations and sharp waves on electrodiagnostic studies. Although not statistically significant, they also had a longer duration of symptoms (4.9 versus 2.9 years). Of those patients with reawakening phenomenon, 14 had resolution of their symptoms at an average period of 4.4 months. Three remaining patients who were subjectively symptomatic had normal or improved postoperative electromyogram and nerve conduction studies. Reawakening of the median nerve has not been previously described but occurs in 3.9 percent of hands following routine carpal tunnel release. Preoperative counseling of patients at high risk for reawakening phenomenon is recommended. Risk, III.

General Anxiety Is Associated with Problematic Initial Recovery After Carpal Tunnel Release.

Carpal tunnel release can stop the progression of idiopathic median neuropathy at the wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome). Intermittent symptoms tend to resolve after surgery, but loss of sensibility can be permanent. Both pathophysiology (severe neuropathy) and mental health (symptoms of despair or worry) contribute to problematic recovery after carpal tunnel release, but their relative associations are unclear. Is problematic initial recovery after carpal tunnel release associated with psychologic distress rather than with disease severity? We retrospectively studied 156 patients who underwent in-office carpal tunnel release between November 2017 and February 2020, and we recorded their symptoms of anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD]) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire), signs of severe median neuropathy (loss of sensibility, thenar muscle atrophy, and palmar abduction weakness), and problematic recovery. The initial recovery (first 2 weeks) was categorized as problematic if the patient was upset about persistent numbness, experienced unsettling postoperative pain, developed hand stiffness, or experienced wound issues-all of which are routinely recorded in the medical record by the treating surgeon along with signs of severe median neuropathy. Twenty-four percent (38 of 156) of patients had a problematic initial recovery characterized by distress regarding persistent numbness (16% [25 of 156]), unsettling pain (8% [12 of 156]), hand stiffness (5% [8 of 156]), or wound issues (1% [2 of 156]); 6% (9 of 156) of patients had more than one issue. Associations between problematic initial recovery and age, gender, symptoms of anxiety and depression, disease severity, specific exam findings, and insurance were evaluated using t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and chi-square tests, with the plan to perform logistic regression if at least two variables had an association with p < 0.10. The only factor associated with problematic initial recovery was greater symptoms of anxiety (median GAD score 1.5 [interquartile range 0 to 7.8] for problematic initial recovery compared with a median score of 0 [IQR 0 to 2] for nonproblematic recovery; p = 0.04), so we did not perform a logistic regression. Physical examination findings consistent with severe median neuropathy were not associated with problematic initial recovery. The finding that problematic initial recovery after carpal tunnel release was related to symptoms of anxiety and not to the severity of median neuropathy highlights the need to study the ability of efforts to ameliorate anxiety symptoms before carpal tunnel release as an effective intervention to reduce unplanned visits and additional tests, therapy, and repeat surgery, while improving patient-reported outcomes and experience. Level III, therapeutic study.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:Diagnosis and Treatment

Carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS)is a common entrapment neuropathy caused by compression of the median nerve around the wrist. The risk factors of CTS include female sex, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, obesity, arthritis, hemodialysis, acromegaly, and pregnancy. CTS is characterized by paresthesia in the distribution of the median nerve. Patients are often unaware of ring-finger splitting and the combination of Tinel's sign and Phalen's test improves diagnostic accuracy. In addition, electrophysiological assessments can help to confirm a CTS diagnosis; their sensitivity ranges from 57-94% and their specificity from 51-97%. CTS negatively affects the quality of life but improvement by surgery can be expected. For conservative treatment, a neutral wrist splint worn at night or oral medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin B12, and pregabalin have been shown to be effective against CTS. CTS surgery may be indicated in patients with thenar muscle atrophy and when conservative treatment is ineffective. The surgery involves a small skin incision under a microscope and local anesthesia. Long-term outcomes with respect to pain, numbness, function, symptomatology relapse, and frequency of re-surgery do not significantly differ between patients subjected to open or endoscopic surgery.

Opponensplasty using the extensor indicis proprius tendon for severe carpal tunnel syndrome in 40 patients.

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical results after extensor indicis proprius opponensplasty in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and severe thenar muscle atrophy. Forty patients who underwent this procedure during open carpal tunnel releases. The mean follow-up period was 17 months (range 10 to 36). Kapandji scores significantly improved from 5.5 before surgery to 9.6 at final follow-up. Thumb pronation angle also significantly improved from 111° before surgery to 149°. Side and pulp pinch strength significantly improved postoperatively, as well as DASH scores at final follow-up. In conclusion, the extensor indicis proprius tendon transfer technique represents a reliable opponensplasty procedure to achieve consistent results in patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome.Level of evidence: IV.

Prediction of carpal tunnel syndrome using the thenar muscle cross-sectional area by magnetic resonance imaging.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neuropathy. Although CTS progression is known to be associated with thenar muscle (TM) atrophy, the diagnostic value of TM atrophy for CTS has not been established. In this research, the thenar muscle cross-sectional area (TMCSA) was evaluated to analyze the relationship between the TMCSA and CTS. We assumed that TMCSA is a major diagnostic parameter in the CTS.Both TMCSA and thenar muscle thickness (TMT) samples were acquired from 18 CTS patients, and from 18 control subjects who underwent wrist magnetic resonance imaging with no evidence of CTS. T2-weighted transverse magnetic resonance imaging images were obtained. We measured the TMCSA and TMT at the level of first carpometacarpal joint.The average TMCSA was 296.98 ± 49.39 mm2 in the normal group and 203.36 ± 72.13 mm2 in the CTS group. The average TMT was 8.54 ± 1.45 mm in the normal group and 7.38 ± 1.14 mm in the CTS group. CTS group had significantly lower TMCSA and TMT. Receiver operator characteristics curve analysis showed that the best cutoff point for the TMCSA was 260.18 mm2, with 77.8% sensitivity, 77.8% specificity. The best cutoff point of the TMT was 7.70 mm, with 61.1% sensitivity, 66.7% specificity.Although the TMCSA and TMT were both significantly associated with CTS, the TMCSA was a much more sensitive measurement parameter. Thus, to evaluate CTS patients, the physician should more carefully inspect the TMCSA than TMT.

Characteristics of Grade 2 Disability in Indonesian Children with Leprosy: A Five-Year Multicenter Retrospective Study.

BackgroundOne of the indicators of achieved leprosy control is lower new cases of leprosy with grade 2 disability (G2D), while zero new pediatric case with G2D is one of the targets of The Global Leprosy Strategy. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of leprosy in children with G2D from seven provincial hospitals in Indonesia, spanning a period of five years.MethodsThis was a descriptive and retrospective study with cross-sectional design. Data were obtained from the medical records of leprosy-affected children in seven provincial hospitals in Indonesia between January 2014 and December 2019 using a total sampling method. Data obtained include characteristics of patients, clinical manifestations, and profile of leprosy in children with G2D.ResultsFrom the 132 data of childhood leprosy retrieved, male (58.33%), age group of 13–14 years (47.73%), and borderline tuberculoid leprosy (34.09%) comprised the majority of patients. Most of the patients had anesthetic macules as the initial manifestation. The results showed 20 (15.15%) children had G2D. Hands were the most common site affected (50.00%), manifested as claw hands, contractures, atrophy of thenar and hypothenar muscles, and pseudomutilation. Foot drop was seen in five (62.50%) children, and lagophthalmos was seen in one child with leprosy.ConclusionThis study shows that G2D is observed in 15.15% Indonesian children with leprosy at the time of diagnosis, which mostly occurs on the hands in the form of claw hands. Foot disabilities were also observed, most commonly as foot drop, while lagophthalmos was present with disabilities in the eyes. Disability due to leprosy in children really exists. The commitment of all health care services and related institutions is needed in order to reduce the incidence of disability due to leprosy in children.