Changes in the Hand Strength and Related Factors after Carpal Tunnel Decompression / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Our goal was to investigate an improvement in hand strength and its associated factors after carpal tunnel decompression in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and January 2009, a total of 31 patients (50 hands) treated with carpal tunnel decompression for carpal tunnel syndrome were enrolled into the study. Hand-strength was assessed pre- and post-surgery. In the pre-operation evaluation, we assessed multiple factors and investigated the association between these factors and recovery of hand strength. RESULTS: All patients regained hand strength after surgery. On average, the grip strength was 14.8 kg preoperatively, 13.0 kg at 6 weeks, 16.2 kg at 3 months, 18.7 kg at 6 months, and 20.6 kg at 1year postoperatively. The tip-pinch strength was 3.4 kg preoperatively and improved to 3.9 kg at 6 weeks, 4.0 kg at 3 months, 4.4 kg at 6 months and 4.7 kg at 1 year postoperatively. The key-pinch strength showed same pattern of improvement. The recovery of grip strength was significantly slower in patients with longer duration of carpal tunnel syndrome, with diabetes, or with nocturnal pain. There was no factor affecting the recovery of tip-pinch strength. Recovery of key-pinch strength was slower in patients that had experienced a longer duration of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Grip strength and pinch strength were recovered within 3 months and 6 weeks, respectively, after carpal tunnel decompression; both improved gradually until 12 months after surgery. Disease duration, diabetes, and nocturnal pain were significant factors that impacted on post-surgery recovery.

Carpal Tunnel Decompression with Limited One-Incision Technique / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Carpal tunnel decompression with limited one-incision technique has been reported that it is possible to achieve a sufficient decompression without significant complications. We evaluated the clinical effectiveness of this method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two cases of twenty-eight patients of carpal tunnel syndrome were retrospectively evaluated, which were treated with limited one-incision technique less than 2 cm in length, from January 1997 to September 1999. RESULTS: According to Cseuz's criteria, 36 cases (85.7%) were excellent or good. CONCLUSION: Carpal tunnel decompression with limited one-incision technique can provide sufficient decompression with small skin incision. It is not necessary of special eqipment. It has less copmplications and no difference of clinical results comparing with classic open method or endoscopic method. Therefore, this method can be a good method in the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. But this method can't be performed in the patient with abnormal anatomical structure or tumorous conditions in carpal tunnel and complication rates are not zero. Therefore operator should pay attention to the selection of patients and the technique.