Comparing the outcome of a carpal tunnel decompression at 2 weeks and 6 months.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to evaluate if 2-week Levine score can provide an adequately responsive outcome measure in carpal tunnel decompression by comparing it with 6-month score.


METHODS
The treatment outcome of 300 patients with carpal tunnel decompression was determined by using Levine score at 2 weeks and 6 months after surgery. The mean age of patients was 56 years, 71% (214) were women, and 55% (167) of operations were performed on the right hand. All patients were scored using the Levine questionnaire preoperatively and at 2 weeks and 6 months from date of surgery. The correlation between the scores was evaluated.


RESULTS
Although statistical significance was found between the preoperative score and the scores at both 2 weeks and 6 months, no statistical difference was found between the scores at 2 weeks and 6 months after surgery. Multiple regression analysis with the 2 week-6 month score difference as the dependent variable shows a predictable outcome at 2 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the Levine score at 2 weeks is a reliable, responsive, and practical instrument for outcome measure in carpal tunnel surgery. It coincides with suture removal and provides a convenient and predictive assessment of the medium-term results in a high percentage of treated patients. We conclude that the 2 time points, 2 weeks and 6 months, are equivalent in outcome because a less than 10-point difference is not clinically meaningful.
Mallick
A
A
Department of Orthopaedics, Leicester General Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom. amallick@doctors.org.uk
Clarke
M
M
Kershaw
C J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors