title: Predictive factors in the non-surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: To identify which patients are likely to respond the medical management of carpal tunnel syndrome, 331 hands in 229 patients were evaluated. They were then treated with a wrist splint and anti-inflammatory medication. Follow-up averaged 15.4 months (minimum six months). Treatment was successful in 18.4%. Statistical evaluation identified five factors which were important in predicting response to treatment: age over 50 years, duration over ten months, constant paraesthesiae, stenosing flexor tenosynovitis, and a Phalen's test positive in less than 30 seconds. When none of these factors was present, two-thirds of patients were cured by medical therapy. 59.6% of patients with one factor, 83.3% with two factors, and 93.2% with three factors failed. No patient with four or five factors present was cured by medical management.
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Service, Roosevelt Hospital, New York.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: S Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Glickel
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Eaton
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D013165:Splints
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal