title: Carpal tunnel syndrome after distal radius fracture.
abstract: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition and is a well-recognized phenomenon following a distal radius fracture. The treating surgeon should be vigilant in noticing the signs and symptoms. If acute carpal tunnel syndrome is noted, then surgical release of the carpal tunnel and fracture fixation should be performed urgently. If early carpal tunnel syndrome findings are noted during distal radius fracture management, all potential causes should be evaluated. Delayed carpal tunnel syndrome presenting after a distal radius fracture has healed is best managed in standard fashion. There is no role for prophylactic carpal tunnel release at the time of distal radius fixation in a patient who is asymptomatic.
authors.affiliation: Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Genghis E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Niver
authors.forename: Asif M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ilyas
mesh_terms: D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome