title: Carpal tunnel release: efficacy and recurrence rate after a limited incision release.
abstract: We retrospectively studied the postoperative outcomes of 51 patients treated for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome by method of a limited incision carpal tunnel release. Patients were assessed to determine: 1) palmar tenderness, 2) scar tenderness, 3) relief of symptoms, 4) complications, and 5) recurrence. Short-term follow-up included patient evaluations at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 10 weeks; a mean of 2.5 years of follow-up also was obtained. Postoperatively, nocturnal symptoms resolved by the 2-week visit. Palmar tenderness was noted as minimal or absent between the 4-week and 10-week visits in 47 of the 51 patients (92%). Symptom and function scores improved from 4.24 and 4.00 preoperatively to 1.18 and 1.19 postoperatively. At a mean of 2.5 years after surgery, none of the patients reported recurrent symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1070, USA. druch@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: David Simms
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ruch
authors.forename: Charles N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Seal
authors.forename: Matthew Scott
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bliss
authors.forename: Beth Paterson
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome