title: Prospective, randomized trial of splinting after carpal tunnel release.
abstract: To determine the possible beneficial effect of postoperative splint immobilization after open carpal tunnel release, we performed a prospective, randomized study comparing 2 weeks of postoperative wrist splinting versus a bulky dressing only. Forty patients with 43 carpal tunnel releases were evaluated. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups using subjective parameters of patient satisfaction with their outcome and objective parameters of grip and lateral pinch strength, complication rates, and digital and wrist range of motion. No clinical evidence of bowstringing could be noted in either group of patients. We found no beneficial effect from postoperative splinting after open carpal tunnel release when compared to a bulky dressing alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Bury
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Akelman
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001458:Bandages; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013165:Splints; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology