title: Carpal tunnel decompression in the super-elderly: functional outcome and patient satisfaction are equal to those of their younger counterparts.
abstract: There is conflicting evidence about the functional outcome and rate of satisfaction of super-elderly patients (≥ 80 years of age) after carpal tunnel decompression. We compiled outcome data for 756 patients who underwent a carpal tunnel decompression over an eight-year study period, 97 of whom were super-elderly, and 659 patients who formed a younger control group (< 80 years old). There was no significant difference between the super-elderly patients and the younger control group in terms of functional outcome according to the mean (0 to 100) QuickDASH score (adjusted mean difference at one year 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) -3.4 to 7.0) and satisfaction rate (odds ratio (OR) 0.78; 95% CI 0.34 to 1.58). Super-elderly patients were, however, more likely to have thenar muscle atrophy at presentation (OR 9.2, 95% CI 5.8 to 14.6). When nerve conduction studies were obtained, super-elderly patients were more likely to have a severe conduction deficit (OR 12.4, 95% CI 3.0 to 51.3). Super-elderly patients report functional outcome and satisfaction rates equal to those of their younger counterparts. They are more likely to have thenar muscle atrophy and a severe nerve conduction deficit at presentation, and may therefore warrant earlier decompression.
authors.affiliation: Queen Margaret Hospital, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Whitefield Road, Dunfermline, Fife, UK.
authors.forename: O D
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.affiliation: Queen Margaret Hospital, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Whitefield Road, Dunfermline, Fife, UK.
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.affiliation: Queen Margaret Hospital, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Whitefield Road, Dunfermline, Fife, UK.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Duckworth
authors.affiliation: Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0SF, UK.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.affiliation: Queen Margaret Hospital, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Whitefield Road, Dunfermline, Fife, UK.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Annan
authors.affiliation: Queen Margaret Hospital, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Whitefield Road, Dunfermline, Fife, UK.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: McEachan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Carpal tunnel; Outcomes; Satisfaction; Super-elderly