Decompression For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Research Articles

Long-term Changes of Infrared Thermography in Successful Decompression of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract Introduction Infrared thermography (IRT) has demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) diagnosis in previous studies. However, the recovery of the autonomic function after treatment for CTS is rarely addressed in the literature, especially on the long-term. Case Presentation A 59-year-old lady sought treatment for a long-term history of numbness, tingling, and hand and arm pain. CTS was diagnosed by clinical and electrophysiological means. After 6 months of conservative treatment, surgical treatment was offered. Preoperative IRT was performed by static and dynamic evaluations immediately and 5 minutes after the cold challenge test using the FLIR C2 camera with accuracy of 2°C or 2%. Fingers were consistently colder (mean of 3.76°C), which clearly represented an autonomic dysfunction in the patient's hand. The patient underwent mini-open carpal tunnel decompression and did great postoperatively. One year after surgery, the patient was fully recovered and completely asymptomatic. IRT imaging showed a remarkable improvement of fingers temperature (mean of 3.36°C). Conclusion Our long-term results confirmed that functional recovery occurred concomitantly to autonomic recovery, which was demonstrated by consistent improvement in fingers' temperature. IRT has a strong potential at the evaluation of patients with CTS for both diagnosis and follow-up.

Genetic Correlations between Migraine and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Surgical deactivation of extracranial nerve trigger sites is now well established as an effective treatment for migraine headache. Parallels have been drawn to median nerve decompression for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and 2 previous studies have demonstrated an association between migraine and CTS. The authors sought to (1) substantiate these findings in a considerably larger UK cohort, and (2) investigate potential genetic associations between the 2 disorders. Nested case-control studies were conducted in the UK Biobank cohort of 401,656 individuals. Odds ratios were calculated for the association between migraine and CTS in the overall cohort and sex-stratified subsets. Genetic correlation between migraine and CTS was interrogated by linkage disequilibrium score regression, leveraging data from published genomewide association studies. Regions of genetic overlap were identified by multitrait analysis of genomewide association studies and cross-phenotype association. Migraine and CTS show a significant epidemiologic association within UK Biobank (OR, 1.14, 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.25; P = 0.0058), which is specific to women (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.28; P = 0.0057) and not men (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.40; P = 0.61). Genetic analysis demonstrated a significant positive genetic correlation between the 2 disorders ( rg = 0.13; P = 0.0039), and implicated the TRIM32 locus on chromosome 9 as a region of genetic overlap. This study replicates past reports of an epidemiologic association between CTS and migraine, albeit in women only. This association is underpinned by a genetic correlation, with shared genetic susceptibility at the TRIM32 locus. The authors' data add credibility to the notion that an element of entrapment neuropathy underlies migraine pathophysiology. Risk, III.

Prospective Comparative Analysis Study of Minimally Invasive Surgical Decompressions versus Traditional Surgical Decompression of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Objective: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when there is compression on the median nerve within the carpal tunnel in the wrist joint. It commonly affects those who make frequent, repetitive hand movements, with women being more affected than men. The present study was aimed at comparing minimally invasive and classical surgical decompression techniques for carpal tunnel syndrome. Materials and Methods: One hundred and four patients with CTS who were scheduled for carpal tunnel decompression were chosen at random. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A had standard classical long incision decompression, whereas Group B had minimally invasive decompression. The patients were evaluated with the Boston Functional Score Scale. Between the two groups, a comparison of visit reports was made at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: There was no significant difference in patient age (Group A was 38 years old and Group B was 36 years old) and availability of bilateral CTS status (A was 34 and B was 31). The female-male ratios in groups A and B were 3.6 to 0.2 and 3.1 to 0.3, respectively, with a p-value of p<0.05 indicating significant difference. Comparing both groups, the minimally invasive decompression technique showed a high rate of functional hand grip and a low rate of complications including early wound healing, rapid resumption of palmar strength grip, and rapid return to daily activities. Conclusion: The findings indicate that patients who underwent the minimally invasive surgical decompression one-stitch technique showed significant improvement over the traditional method.

Chronic Local Injected Corticosteroid Use Increases Likelihood of Postoperative Morbidity Following Median Nerve Decompression for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Chronic Local Injected Corticosteroid Use Increases Likelihood of Postoperative Morbidity Following Median Nerve Decompression for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Improvement of Sleep Quality after Surgical Decompression in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy which can cause severe sleep disturbance. Carpal tunnel release (CTR) is a choice for severe cases, which has shown to improve sleep quality, but the available evidence is limited. This study aimed to investigate the impact of CTR on sleep quality and hand symptoms and functions in patients with CTS. Methods This was a prospective study in 2019–2020 on patients with CTS and poor sleep quality undergoing CTR. Patients were evaluated before and at 1, 3, and 12 months after CTR by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaires. Results There were 33 patients with 27 females (82%) and a median age of 51 years. The median time of CTS diagnosis and having sleep disorder before CTR were 12 and 6 months, respectively. The outcomes significantly improved after CTR, with the median PSQI and Boston symptom and function scores reduced from 12, 33, and 23 before CTR to 9, 14, and 11 at 1 month; 7, 13, and 9 at 3 months; and 1, 11, and 8 at 12 months postoperatively, respectively. The correlations between the PSQI and Boston symptom and function scores were > 0.6 at all time-points. Conclusions Surgical decompression significantly improves sleep quality and the hand symptoms and functions in patients with CTS. Long-term evaluations are lacking and thus are required in future studies.

Comparing the running subcuticular technique versus the Donati technique in open carpal tunnel release: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThere are various skin suture techniques for wound closure following carpal tunnel release, and well-performed suturing will result in low post-operative scar tenderness. The aim of this study was to compare the Donati suture technique and running subcuticular technique in terms of surgical scar, post-operative pain and functional outcome in open carpal tunnel release.MethodsOne-hundred forty-two patients were randomized using a computer-generated random number table into two groups receiving either running subcuticular suturing or Donati suturing after surgical intervention. We evaluated postoperative scarring using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), pain intensity using a verbal numerical rating scale, and functional outcomes using the Thai version of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire after surgical decompression for carpal tunnel syndrome at 2, 6, and 12 weeks. Continuous data are reported as mean ± SD while normally distributed or as median (interquartile range) when the distribution was skewed.ResultsLower scores at 2 weeks were given by the patients receiving the running subcuticular suture technique than the Donati suture technique (15.3 ± 4.8 vs 17 ± 4.6, respectively, P < 0.05) while the observer scores were not significantly different (15.6 ± 5.8 vs 16.7 ± 5.2, respectively, P = 0.15). At both 6 and 12 weeks post-surgical decompression both patient and observer scores were not significantly different. There were no differences between the groups in terms of VNRS pain scores and functional Boston Carpal Tunnel Scores at all time points.ConclusionsThis randomized controlled trial found that although scarring assessments were slightly better in the earliest period following wound closure after surgical decompression in carpal tunnel syndrome using the running subcuticular suture, the final results at 3 months postoperative were not significantly different.Trial registrationThe study was registered at https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/ (TCTR20191204002).

Post-Operative Outcome of Surgical Decompression for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Post-Operative Outcome of Surgical Decompression for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Median nerve decompression in carpal tunnel syndrome: short- and long-term results

Objective: to investigate the short- and long-term results of surgical median nerve decompression via classical and minimally invasive approaches in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), as well as factors that influence surgical outcomes. Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled 70 patients (13 men and 57 women) aged 36 to 84 years (mean age, 62±10.8 years) who had undergone median nerve decompression. Surgery was performed in the classical way in 35 patients (Group 1) and via a minimally invasive access in the remaining 35 patients (Group 2). The efficiency of treatment was evaluated using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) and a visual analog scale for pain before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, as well as from patient satisfaction with surgical outcomes. Results. No complications of surgical treatment were detected. There was a marked reduction in pain and other neuropathic disorders just 1 month after surgery and a substantial hand functional improvement following 6 months. After 12 months, in Group 1, the mean BCTQ Symptom Severity Scale and Functional Deficit Scale scores decreased from 2.76 to 1.15 (p≤0.01) and from 2.72 to 1.24 (p≤0.01), respectively; in Group 2, these dropped from 2.86 to 1.14 (p≤0.01) and from 2.95 to 1.24 (p≤0.01), respectively. Complete recovery from sensory problems occurred in 24 (69%) patients in Group 1 and in 25 (71%) patients in Group 2; their partial recovery was observed in 11 (31%) and 10 (29%) patients in these groups, respectively. One 1 month following decompression, the patients in Group 1 had more severe pain syndrome than those in Group 2; these differences became statistically insignificant after 6 months. The patients were found to be highly satisfied with surgical treatment. Permanent numbness, subjective weakness, thenar muscle atrophy, stage III CTS, and diabetes mellitus (DM) were predictors for less pronounced improvement in BCTQ scores after surgical treatment (p&lt;0.05). The paper describes a clinical case that achieved full postoperative occupational and home rehabilitation. Conclusion. The patients with CTS were observed to have a marked reduction in pain and other neuropathic disorders just one month after surgical decompression and a substantial hand functional improvement following 6 months. The benefit from a minimally invasive access is less severe pain syndrome at 1 month after surgery. The predictors of less successful results of surgery are age (the older the patient is, the greater likelihood of having a worse result), permanent numbness, subjective hand weakness, thenar muscle atrophy, DM, and stage III CTS.

Association of psychological distress, quality of life and costs with carpal tunnel syndrome severity: a cross-sectional analysis of the PALMS cohort

ObjectivesThe Prediciting factors for response to treatment in carpal tunnel syndrome (PALMS) study is designed to identify prognostic factors for outcome from corticosteroid injection and surgical decompression for carpal tunnel...

Alpha-lipoic Acid After Median Nerve Decompression at the Carpal Tunnel: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The postoperative course of median nerve decompression in carpal tunnel syndrome may be associated with complications. The aim of this study was to explore the possible effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in the postoperative period after surgical decompression of the median nerve at the wrist. We conducted a double-blind prospective, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 64 patients with proven carpal tunnel syndrome were enrolled and randomly assigned into 1 of 2 groups: group A (n= 32) patients had surgical decompression of the median nerve followed by ALA for 40 days, and group P (n= 32) patients had surgical decompression followed by placebo. The primary end point of the study was a comprehensive indicator of sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity (electrophysiology score) at 3 months after surgery, Other end points were static 2-point discrimination, Boston Carpal Tunnel score, presence or absence of pillar pain, and use of analgesics beyond the second postoperative day. Alpha-lipoic acid did not improve nerve conduction velocity or Boston Carpal Tunnel score significantly. However, a statistically significant reduction in the postoperative incidence of pillar pain was noted in the ALA group. In addition, static 2-point discrimination improved in both groups. Postoperative administration of ALA for 40 days after median nerve decompression may result in a lower incidence of pillar pain. This treatment is relatively well tolerated, which may support its value as standard postoperative supplementation after carpal tunnel decompression if further studies on larger samples confirm these preliminary findings. Therapeutic I.

Determination of the median nerve safe-zone in the carpal tunnel using the distal forearm bony prominences.

The compression of the median nerve (MN) in the carpal tunnel (CT) is one of the most common aetiologies of entrapment neuropathy syndromes in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of the palpable bony prominences of the distal forearm (radial styloid process [RSP] and ulnar styloid process [USP]) with MN in the CT, in order to determine a safe-zone of the MN during carpal tunnel procedures. This study involved the bilateral dissection of the CT region of 30 adult cadaveric specimens (n = 60). The mean distance between the RSP and USP was 49.34 mm. The mean distance of the MN from the RSP and the USP were 22.44 mm and 26.66 mm, respectively. The mean diameter of the MN within the CT deep to the flexor retinaculum was 5.93 mm. In addition, the MN was located postero-lateral and postero-medial to palmaris longus tendon (PLT) in 78.33% and 21.67% of specimens, respectively. This study found that the MN was located less than 60% of the RSP-USP distance from the RSP. Furthermore, the MN was mostly located postero-lateral to the PLT. Therefore, injection or surgical incision made at/medial to a point 60% of the RSP-USP distance from the RSP will be outside the safe-zone of the MN. The knowledge of this surface anatomical relationship of the MN may be useful during decompression for CT syndrome.

Ultrasound-guided surgical treatment for ulnar nerve entrapment: A cadaver study

Several open and endoscopic techniques for the surgical treatment of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow (cubital tunnel syndrome) have been described that provide decompression with or without anterior transposition. Based on our experience with US-guided decompression for carpal tunnel syndrome in our department, we developed a similar surgical technique for the decompression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Using sixteen cadaver upper limbs, we performed decompression of all the structures possibly responsible for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow. The structures involved were Struthers’ arcade, the cubital tunnel retinaculum, Osborne's fascia and Amadio-Beckenbaugh's arcade. The procedure was followed by anatomical dissection to confirm complete sectioning of the compressive structures, absence of iatrogenic vascular or nervous injuries and absence of nerve dislocation or instability. There were no remaining compressive structures after the release procedure. There was no iatrogenic damage to the nerves and no nerve dislocation was observed during elbow flexion or extension. In 3.4% cases, a thin superficial layer of one or more of the identified structures remained but these did not appear to compress the nerve based on US imaging. Using ultrasonographic visualization of the nerve and compressive structures is easy. Each procedure can be tailored according to the nerve compression sites. Our cadaveric study shows the feasibility of an US-guided percutaneous surgical release for ulnar nerve entrapment.

Carpal tunnel release in patients with diabetes result in poorer outcome in long-term study

The aim of this prospective study was to compare the results of surgical decompression of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in patients with diabetes mellitus with those with idiopathic CTS. The results of surgical decompression of CTS in 27 patients with diabetes mellitus were compared with 42 patients with idiopathic CTS. All patients underwent surgical release of transverse carpal ligament by the mini-incision of palm technique. Patient self-administered Boston Questionnaire (BQ) for the assessment of severity of CTS symptoms and hand functional status was evaluated before and 6 months and 10 years after surgery. After surgical release, all the patients of both groups reported an absence of pain, disappearance or reduction of paresthesia, and improvement in hand function. Six months after surgery, there was a significant improvement of symptomatic and functional BQ scores compared with preoperative state in both groups. Ten years after surgery, there was statistical difference in preoperative and postoperative 10th year functional BQ score between DM (-) and DM (+) (p < 0.01). DM status affected statistically functional BQ score between preoperative and postoperative 10th year. Diabetes mellitus was a risk factor for poor outcome of surgical decompression of CTS. Patients with diabetes had worse surgical outcome compared with patients with idiopathic CTS in long-term follow-up.

Incorporation of the experience of patients in the development of a patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) for carpal tunnel syndrome

Regularly, patients are not involved in development of evaluative tools. Investigators define outcomes according to their interests. These can be different with those of the patients. Therefore, it may be difficult for patients to choose between treatment options, because the outcomes' measurements may not reflect their problems in daily life. Most ideally, patients are involved from the beginning in the development of an outcome measurement tool. In this study, a new concept was demonstrated in which a questionnaire was developed in collaboration with patients to evaluate the quality of surgical care of a frequently encountered entity (carpal tunnel syndrome) that is meaningful for and understandable by patients. Through a patient participatory research in an academic hospital, 50 consecutive patients who recently underwent surgical decompression of carpal tunnel syndrome were asked to optimize a questionnaire. An existing questionnaire was sent to the patients with the request to grade the relevance of each question. They were also offered the possibility to add questions from their point of view. All questions were found relevant. Finally, the questionnaire was modified by adding one question proposed by the patients. They wanted to include a question that would evaluate the effect of the treatment. Therefore, a question was introduced to evaluate the effect of the surgery on the symptoms and signs with a six-item Likert scale varying from severely worsened to free of signs and symptoms. Finally, the EQ-5D-5 L was added as a measure of quality of life. The participation of patients is essential but until now not usual when a tool for evaluating the success of a treatment is developed. Information that is meaningful for patients but not obligate for researchers can easily be missed in the classical development of outcome measurement tools. This information will be crucial when future patients try to understand the findings of research in order to make an appropriate decision between eventual treatment options.

Standard Open Decompression in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Compared With a Modified Open Technique Preserving the Superficial Skin Nerves: A Prospective Randomized Study

Standard Open Decompression in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Compared With a Modified Open Technique Preserving the Superficial Skin Nerves: A Prospective Randomized Study

Standard Open Decompression in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Compared With a Modified Open Technique Preserving the Superficial Skin Nerves: A Prospective Randomized Study

A common surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is open carpal tunnel decompression. This involves skin incision followed by sharp dissection straight down through fat and palmar fascia to the transverse carpal ligament, which is then divided. The incidence of scar discomfort ranges from 19% to 61%, and its cause is not fully understood. We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial to investigate whether preservation of superficial nerve branches crossing the incision site reduces the incidence and severity of postoperative scar pain after open carpal tunnel release. Forty-two patients with bilateral idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (84 hands) were included in the study. The patients were randomized to determine which hand was to have carpal tunnel decompression using a technique that would try to preserve the superficial nerve branches. The other hand had open carpal tunnel decompression without any attempt to preserve the superficial nerve branches. An assessment of each hand in each patient was performed immediately before surgery and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. This assessment was performed with a questionnaire based on the Patient Evaluation Measure. We found no evidence of a difference in scar pain between the 2 methods at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. There was a significant difference in the length of surgery between the 2 groups. Scar pain scores in this series of open carpal tunnel decompressions were similar, whether or not an attempt was made to identify and preserve superficial nerve branches crossing the wound.

Alkalinisation of Local Anaesthetics Prescribed for Pain Relief after Surgical Decompression of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

To compare the duration of analgesia achieved following administration of buffered prilocaine versus plain prilocaine to patients undergoing surgical decompression of the median nerve. 40 (32 female and 8 male; mean age, 50.5 years) patients who underwent surgical decompression of carpal tunnel syndrome were recruited. Patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups: the alkalinised group was given 10 ml of prilocaine hydrochloride 2% buffered with 1 ml of sodium bicarbonate 8.4%, whereas the non-alkalinised group received 10 ml of plain prilocaine hydrochloride 2% solution. Patients were asked to rate their comfort level at the operation site in the first 6 hours following surgery and after discharge from hospital using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The duration of analgesic effect was evaluated every 3 hours. Additional oral analgesia in the form of paracetamol 500 mg tablets was available to patients if required for break-through pain. Significantly lower VAS scores were reported by the alkalinised group during the first postoperative 12 hours. The change of VAS scores over time was significantly higher in the non-alkalinised group. The mean analgesic requirement for paracetamol tablets in the alkalinised and non-alkalinised groups was 4 and 34, respectively. Buffered prilocaine provided a longer postoperative pain-free period for patients undergoing surgical decompression of the median nerve. It is easy, safe, and cost-effective.

Clinical presentation and follow‐up of patients with the attenuated phenotype of mucopolysaccharidosis type I

To review the heterogeneity and severity of the clinical features at the attenuated end of the mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type I disease spectrum. The course of disease in 29 patients with attenuated mucopolysaccharidosis I who attended the MPS clinic in Manchester, UK, was reviewed. For more than half of the patients, onset of symptoms was in the first 2 y of life, and the age at diagnosis ranged from 15 mo to 40 y. Joint stiffness, corneal clouding, umbilical hernia and recurrent ear, nose and throat symptoms were the commonest features at presentation. Patients experienced significant morbidity during the course of this inherited disease. Skeletal problems predominated and cardiac valve pathology, upper airway obstruction and hearing deficits were detected in a notable number of patients. Nerve decompression for carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical cord decompression, and grommet insertion for serous otitis media were the most frequent surgical interventions. Clinical presentation of attenuated ("non-Hurler") mucopolysaccharidosis type I is heterogeneous in time of onset and types of clinical features. A better understanding of the spectrum of disease and of the related disease progression will contribute to more accurate diagnosis, and patients will benefit from early intervention.

Outcome of surgical release among diabetics with carpal tunnel syndrome

Mondelli M, Padua L, Reale F, Signorini AM, Romano C. Outcome of surgical release among diabetics with carpal tunnel syndrome. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:7–13. Objective To compare the results of surgical decompression of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in patients with diabetes with those of patients with idiopathic CTS. Design Prospective case series. Setting Ambulatory care in Italy. Participants Twenty-four consecutive patients with diabetes type 1 or 2 and CTS (mean age, 66.7y) were matched for age and sex with 72 patients (mean age, 66.2y) with idiopathic CTS. Interventions All patients underwent surgical release of CTS by the mini-incision of palm technique. Main outcome measures Clinical and electrophysiologic evaluation and patient self-administered Boston Questionnaire (BQ) for the assessment of severity of CTS symptoms and hand functional status before and 1 and 6 months after surgery. Results After surgical release, almost all patients of both groups reported an absence of pain, disappearance or reduction of paresthesia, and improvement in hand function. One month after surgery, there was a significant improvement in clinical status, BQ scores, and distal conduction velocities of the median nerve. A further improvement was evident at 6-month follow-up. There were no differences between the 2 groups in the number of surgical complications, in clinical and electrophysiologic status, or in BQ scores before and after surgery. The improvement in distal conduction velocities of the median nerve, BQ scores, and clinical and electrophysiologic status were similar in the 2 groups after surgery. Conclusion Diabetes is not a risk factor for poor outcome of surgical decompression of CTS. Patients with diabetes have the same probability of positive surgical outcome as patients with idiopathic CTS.

Intrasurgical use of steroids on carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized, prospective, double-blind controlled study

We studied steroid irrigation of the median nerve during surgical decompression in carpal tunnel syndrome through a prospective randomized controlled study. After sample size calculation, 20 patients were randomized into two groups: one group had a release of the transverse carpal ligament alone, and the other one had a release associated with steroid irrigation of the median nerve. The patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 15 days and 2 months through a widely used and validated patient-oriented measure (the Carpal tunnel questionnaire) and through neurophysiological evaluation. The follow-up assessment showed significant differences in the postoperative evolution between the two groups with regard to symptoms: symptoms were less in the steroid-treated group both at 15 days (p>0.035; z=−2.9) and at two months (p<0.005; z=−2.8). This suggests that steroid irrigation of the median nerve offers benefit compared with the transverse carpal ligament release alone. This study provides clear evidence of the use-fulness of the procedure in the post-operative evolution of symptoms.