Evaluation of Carpal Arch Widening and Outcomes After Carpal Tunnel Release.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the carpal arch widths between baseline and 6 months after open carpal tunnel release, and to determine whether any increase in the carpal arch width was associated with clinical outcomes of surgery.


METHODS
We measured carpal arch widths in standardized carpal tunnel radiographs before, and 6 months after, open carpal tunnel release in 76 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Clinical outcomes were assessed for grip strength change and perceived disability using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire at 6-month follow-up. We correlated the clinical outcomes with carpal arch width changes.


RESULTS
The mean change of the carpal arch width was 1.8 mm (standard deviation, 1.4 mm; range, -0.3 to 5.2 mm). There was no significant correlation between the amount of carpal arch width widening and the clinical outcomes in terms of grip strength change and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores.


CONCLUSIONS
This study found that the change of carpal arch width was minimal at 6 months after open carpal tunnel release, and that the increase, if any, was not associated with clinical outcomes such as grip strength change or the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores.


METHODS
Prognostic IV.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yong Eok
YE
Kwon
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address: hsgong@snu.ac.kr.
Hyun Sik
HS
Gong
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Han Sol
HS
Shin
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hyung Rae
HR
Lee
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Ka Hyun
KH
Kim
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Goo Hyun
GH
Baek
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Carpal tunnel release; carpal arch; carpal tunnel syndrome; clinical outcome