Selection of Operative Procedures for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

The purpose of this study was to investigate the primary operative procedures that are performed by hand surgeons for cubital tunnel syndrome and their reported satisfaction with these procedures. The survey consisted of 22 questions regarding primary operative treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome and demographics and was sent by email to the 459 active members of the American Association for Hand Surgery. One hundred sixty-four surgeons completed the survey (36% response rate). The total sample included 154 hand surgeons (143 males, 11 females) who operated on cubital tunnel syndrome and the majority of surgeons were in private practice (n = 100) followed by academic practice (n = 50). The most prevalent factors that influence the decision to operate include evidence of muscle atrophy (84%), abnormal nerve conduction studies (51%), and failed non-operative treatment (49%). Most surgeons (n = 133) reported using more than one operative procedure for their patients with cubital tunnel syndrome. Factors that influenced the operative procedure selected included the degree of nerve compression (60%), medical comorbidities (30%), patient's occupation (28%), and obesity (22%). Following carpal tunnel surgery, 88% of the surgeons were "very satisfied" with their patient outcome and following surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome, only 44% were "very satisfied" with their patient outcome. Most surgeons use more than one operative procedure in their treatment of patients with cubital tunnel syndrome and the selection of the operative procedure is influenced by patient factors and surgeon preference.     

45例肘管综合征术后远期随访报告

目的：探讨肘管综合征远期疗效和影响疗效的有关因素。方法：对４５例４８侧肘管综合征术后进行了远期随访。随访时间２１个月～１４年，平均５年２个月。结果：优良３６侧，占７５％（３６／４８）；差４侧，占８．３％（４／４８）。术前病程长短、手内肌萎缩程度和爪形手畸形的存在与否，对远期疗效有明显影响。而年龄、尺侧腕屈肌肌力、术中神经卡压程度和术后早期疗效等，对远期疗效的影响无统计学意义。结论：对肘管综合征应早期诊断和治疗，其远期疗效较好。     

小切口治疗腕管综合征14例报告

Objective　To introduce the technique of carpal tunnel release by small incision,and evaluate its outcome in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.Methods　This method was applied in the operations of 14 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome.An incision 1.5 cm in length was made at the level of the proximal transverse wrist crease ulnar to the palmaris longus tendon.The proximal margin of the transverse carpal ligament was visualized and the ligament was cut subcutaneously under direct vision.The flexor digitorum tendons were retracted and the edematous synovium excised.Results　Follow - up of the patients 2 weeks postoperatively showed that the symptoms of numbess and pain disappeared in all 14 cases.Normal 2 - PD in the pulp of the thumb,index finger and long finger was ＜ 4 mm.One year after the operation,muscle atrophy in 5 patients who sustained preoperative thenar muscle atrophy was greatly improved with recovery of normal opponens function of the thumb.No pillar pain and injury of the ulnar nerve and superficial palmar arch was found.Conclusion　Carpal tunnel release under direct vision through a small incision is a new and effective surgical procedure.     

上肢对称性周围神经卡压征的临床分析

目的：探讨上肢对称性周围神经卡压征的病因、病程及预后特点。方法：对1999年至2002年4月间收治的上肢周围神经对称性卡压征14例，分析其病因，临床分级及疗效。结果：双侧肘管综合征中先发侧的疗效优良率达60％，后发侧的为80％。双侧腕管综合征中先发侧的疗效优良率为67％，后发侧的达89％。结论：肘外翻畸形为双侧肘管综合征的主要病因，滑膜病变为双侧腕管综合征的主要病因。上肢对称性周围神经卡压征一经确诊应及早手术，以提高治疗效果。     

腕尺管综合征39例回顾分析

目的探讨腕尺管的概念，腕尺管综合征的分型、病因、卡压特点、诊断及其临床意义。方法对1986年3月～2003年6月收治的39例腕尺管综合征患者的病历资料，结合文献，进行回顾分析。结果腕尺管包括Guyon管、豆钩管和小鱼际肌段。腕尺管综合征分为8型，病因较多，可伴有多部位卡压、腕管综合征或肘管综合征。通过临床表现及电生理检查能明确诊断。结论明确腕尺管的概念、腕尺管综合征的少见及复杂性，可以有效指导临床诊断和治疗。     

Atrophy of the thumb web space in rheumatoid arthritis: clinical and electrodiagnostic studies

One hundred and twenty definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with an average duration of the disease of 12.1 years were studied. Sixty-two patients had distinct atrophy of the first dorsal interosseous of the hand without definite signs of carpal, cubital, or ulnar tunnel syndrome (group A); 43 patients showed neither distinct atrophy nor sensory disturbance of either hand (group B). Other patients had sensory and/or motor disturbances due to carpal, cubital, or ulnar tunnel syndrome and other neuropathies. Electrodiagnostic examinations revealed that there were differences in the distal latency to the first dorsal interosseous muscle from the wrist between 24 group-A patients and 14 normal controls (P less than 0.05), and between the group-A patients and 12 group-B patients (P less than 0.1). The results of this study indicate that some RA patients with atrophy of the thumb web space may have compression neuropathy of the most distal branches of the ulnar nerve.     

Outcome of carpal tunnel decompression with pre-surgical diagnosis determined on general practitioner assessment and nerve conduction study

BackgroundAccurate diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is key to successful treatment. At our center a treatment pathway was recently established for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Within this pathway patients are assessed by their community practitioner. Patients who fail to improve with conservative treatment and have a positive nerve conduction study are put forward for surgery without a specialist assessment. Recent literature has shown nerve conduction study may produce a high rate of false-positive results when used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. The aim of this study was to retrospectively review outcomes of carpal tunnel decompression surgery in patients whose diagnoses was based on a community practitioner assessment and positive nerve conduction study.MethodsAll patients who had carpal tunnel release surgery between August 1, 2017 and August 31, 2018 at our center were screened for eligibility. Data from hospital records and a standardized telephone questionnaire was used to assess surgical outcome.ResultsThe final study population included 128 operated hands. The mean follow up time after surgery was 9.6 months. We found 79% of patients reported significant improvement of their symptoms following carpal tunnel release. The overall complication rate was 2.3%.ConclusionThis study has demonstrated good outcomes from carpal tunnel decompressive surgery are possible in a cohort of patients whose diagnosis was made on the basis of a positive nerve conduction study and community practitioner assessment.     

Atrophy of the thumb web space in rheumatoid arthritis: Clinical and electrodiagnostic studies

Summary One hundred and twenty definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with an average duration of the disease of 12.1 years were studied. Sixty-two patients had distinct atrophy of the first dorsal interosseous of the hand without definite signs of carpal, cubital, or ulnar tunnel syndrome (group A); 43 patients showed neither distinct atrophy nor sensory disturbance of either hand (group B). Other patients had sensory and/or motor disturbances due to carpal, cubital, or ulnar tunnel syndrome and other neuropathies. Electrodiagnostic examinations revealed that there were differences in the distal latency to the first dorsal interosseous muscle from the wrist between 24 group-A patients and 14 normal controls (P < 0.05), and between the group-A patients and 12 group-B patients (P < 0.1). The results of this study indicate that some RA patients with atrophy of the thumb web space may have compression neuropathy of the most distal branches of the ulnar nerve.     

Ulnar nerve entrapment neuropathy at the elbow: simple decompression

Ulnar nerve entrapment neuropathy at the elbow, or the cubital tunnel syndrome, is frequently encountered in neurosurgical practice as the second most common peripheral nerve entrapment after carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients typically present with weakness or atrophy of the hand as well as paresthesias in the ulnar nerve distribution. The diagnosis can be confirmed with a careful clinical examination and electrophysiological studies. Patients who have failed conservative therapy are considered for surgery. Although a number of surgical options are available, simple decompression of the ulnar nerve can achieve satisfactory results with appropriate patient selection. We describe the relevant anatomy and surgical techniques for simple in situ decompression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow.     

Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Interobserver Reliability of the Blinded Scratch-Collapse Test

The reliability of the scratch-collapse test for diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has not been tested by independent investigators. This study measured the reliability of the scratch-collapse test comparing the treating hand surgeon and blinded evaluators. We performed a prospective observational study of 41 patients with a provisional diagnosis of CTS or a combination of CTS and cubital tunnel syndrome and prescribed electrodiagnostic testing. The treating hand surgeon performed the scratch-collapse test. Next, the test was administered by one of the six observers, unaware of the patient’s symptoms and the diagnosis made by treating hand surgeon. The kappa statistic (κ) was used to calculate the interrater reliability between the treating hand surgeons and blinded scratchers. The agreement between the blinded observers and the hand surgeons on the scratch-collapse test was substantial 0.63 (95 % CI, 0.34–0.87; p < 0.001). The sensitivity of the blinded scratch test in our sample was 32 %. In a small study with a spectrum bias favoring electrophysiologically confirmed CTS the reliability was lower than that reported by the inventors of the test, but was still substantial. We propose a larger study of patients with a greater variety of electrodiagnostic test results using fewer observers with more experience.     

Outcome after carpal tunnel release: impact of factors related to metabolic syndrome

Objective: The standard surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), with an open carpal tunnel release, is reported to relieve symptoms in most patients. In a retrospective observational study, outcome after open carpal tunnel release was evaluated, focusing on factors related to the metabolic syndrome: diabetes, hypertension, obesity (BMI ≥30) and statin treatment.

Methods: Results from 493 out of 962 patients (531/1044 hands) operated for CTS during 18 months that had filled in QuickDASH questionnaires before and 1-year after surgery were included in the study.

Results: Patients with diabetes (n?=?76) had higher QuickDASH scores pre- (56 [36–77]; i.e. median [interquartile range]) and postoperatively (31 [9–61]) compared to patients without diabetes (48 [32–66]; p?p?10 (74% vs 61%; p?Conclusions: Patients with diabetes without neuropathy, as well as patients with hypertension, obesity or statin treatment, and CTS can expect the same effects of open carpal tunnel release as otherwise healthy patients. Patients with diabetic neuropathy and CTS did not experience the same improvement as otherwise healthy patients and should be informed about the risk of an unsatisfactory outcome.     

腕管综合征的误诊原因分析

目的：进一步提高腕管综合征的诊断水平,减少误诊,避免出现误诊可能造成的正中神经严重损害的后果。方法：收集了１６ 例（１９ 个腕）误诊的腕管综合征病例,对引起误诊的原因进行详细分析。结果：引起误诊的原因可归纳为三个方面：１、对腕管综合征重视不够,容易将其误诊为更为常见的颈椎病;急性腕管综合征容易误诊为外伤时较常见的正中神经挫伤。２、询问病史、体格检查不够详细是造成部分病例误诊的关键。３、对可疑病例未进行必要的肌电图检查。结论：加强对腕管综合征这一临床常见的周围神经受压综合征的认识,准确收集临床资料,必要时结合肌电图检查是提高鉴别诊断能力,是减少误诊的关键。     

小切口单纯肘管松解术治疗肘管综合征

目的 通过临床研究分析小切口单纯肘管松解术治疗肘管综合征的适应证。选择病程平均为2．5人月,无肘部骨折或畸形的9例男性患者进行手术。于尺神经沟作2－3cm长的小切口,仅切开肘管及其远端的弓状韧带,在尺神经鞘膜内注射1ml确炎舒松－A。结果 9例的手尺侧麻木感于术后1个月内消失,刺痛觉减退在术后半年恢复正常。2例骨间肌蚓关肌有轻度肌萎缩者在术后1年半完全恢复。结论 对肘部无骨折畸形,病程短,无明显肌萎缩,爪形手畸形的肘管综合征可以采用小切口单纯肘管松解要治疗。     

超声检查在肘管综合征诊治中的应用

目的探讨超声检查在诊断和治疗肘管综合征中的临床意义。方法对34例临床及肌电图检测确诊为肘管综合征的患者，分轻、中、重度三期，应用B超进行检测，与30例（60侧）健康人肘管B超检查结果进行对比研究；同时将B超发现的形态学异常表现与术中所见进行对比研究。结果B超检查显示肘管综合征患者尺神经横截面积，尺神经厚度，尺神经横截面积肿胀率，尺神经厚度肿胀率平均值均大于对照组；随着临床症状逐渐加重，尺神经横截面积肿胀率增大，而尺神经肘段运动传导速度减慢。同时B超发现的形态学异常表现，与术中所见一致。结论B超检查对肘管综合征的诊断、尺神经病变程度的分期，以及治疗方式的选择均有参考价值，为临床提供了一种简单、可靠、无创的检测方法。     

Endoscopic carpal tunnel release in the elderly.

The present study is aimed to clarify the postoperative outcome of endoscopic carpal tunnel release in elderly patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release was performed on 37 hands of 27 patients (2 men, 25 women) who were aged 70 years or older and clinically and electrophysiologically diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. Mean age at the time of surgery was 74.5 years (range: 70-85 years). Mean postoperative follow-up was 35.5 months (range: 12-114 months). Pain was present preoperatively in 20 hands, but quickly resolved postoperatively in all cases. Numbness completely disappeared in 13 of 37 hands (35.1%), but some degree of numbness remained in the remaining cases. Preoperative severity of thenar muscle atrophy was none in 4 hands, mild in 7 hands, moderate in 12 hands and severe in 14 hands. Postoperative severity of thenar muscle atrophy at final follow-up was none in 13 hands, mild in 16 hands, moderate in 2 hands and severe in 6 hands, confirming that thenar muscle atrophy improves even in elderly patients. However, moderate or severe thenar muscle atrophy remained in 8 hands (21.6%). Endoscopic carpal tunnel release should be considered in the elderly, even though clinical symptoms may not improve substantially in advanced cases.     

Ultrasound elastography for carpal tunnel pressure measurement: A cadaveric validation study

Carpal tunnel pressure is a key factor in the etiology of carpal tunnel syndrome. Numerous approaches have been conducted to measure carpal tunnel pressure. However, most techniques are invasive and take time and effort. We have developed an innovative approach to noninvasively assess the tunnel pressure by using the ultrasound surface wave elastography (USWE) technique. In a previous study it was shown that the shear wave speed in a tendon increased linearly with increasing tunnel pressure enclosed the tendon in a simple tendon model. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the carpal tunnel pressure and the shear wave speeds inside and outside the carpal tunnel in a human cadaveric model. The result showed that the shear wave speed inside the carpal tunnel increased linearly with created carpal tunnel pressure, while the shear wave speed outside the carpal tunnel remained constant. These findings suggest that noninvasive measurement of carpal tunnel pressure is possible by measuring the shear wave speed in the tendon. After fully establishing this technology and being applicable in clinic, it would be useful in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. For that reason, further validation with this technique in both healthy controls and patients with carpal tunnel syndrome is required. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:477–483, 2018.     

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Impairs Thumb Opposition and Circumduction Motion

Background

Carpal tunnel syndrome is associated with sensory and motor impairments resulting from the compressed and malfunctioning median nerve. The thumb is critical to hand function, yet the pathokinematics of the thumb associated with carpal tunnel syndrome are not well understood.

Questions/purposes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate thumb motion abnormalities associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. We hypothesized that the ranges of translational and angular motion of the thumb would be reduced as a result of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods

Eleven patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and 11 healthy control subjects voluntarily participated in this study. Translational and angular kinematics of the thumb were obtained using marker-based video motion analysis during thumb opposition and circumduction movements.

Results

Motion deficits were observed for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome even though maximum pinch strength was similar. The path length, normalized by palm width of the thumb tip for the patients with carpal tunnel syndrome was less than for control participants (opposition: 2.2 palm width [95% CI, 1.8–2.6 palm width] versus 3.1 palm width [95% CI, 2.8–3.4 palm width], p < 0.001; circumduction: 2.2 palm width [95% CI, 1.9–2.5 palm width] versus 2.9 palm width [95% CI, 2.7–3.2 palm width], p < 0.001). Specifically, patients with carpal tunnel syndrome had a deficit of 0.3 palm width (95% CI, 0.04–0.52 palm width; p = 0.022) in the maximum position of their thumb tip ulnarly across the palm during opposition relative to control participants. The angular ROM also was reduced for the patients with carpal tunnel syndrome compared with the control participants in extension/flexion for the metacarpophalangeal (opposition: 34° versus 58°, p = .004; circumduction: 33° versus 58°, p < 0.001) and interphalangeal (opposition: 37° versus 62°, p = .028; circumduction: 41° versus 63°, p = .025) joints.

Conclusions

Carpal tunnel syndrome disrupts kinematics of the thumb during opposition and circumduction despite normal pinch strength.

Clinical Relevance

Improving understanding of thumb pathokinematics associated with carpal tunnel syndrome may help clarify hand function impairment associated with the syndrome given the critical role of the thumb in dexterous manipulation.     

高频超声在腕管综合征早期诊断中的应用

目的研究高频超声检查对腕管综合征的早期诊断价值。方法对21例经临床检查诊断为早期腕管综合征的患者进行术前高频超声检查、肌电生理检查、X线检查及术中探查,并将上述结果进行比对。正中神经的高频超声检查结果与文献报道的正常声像特点比较。结果高频超声检查在腕管综合征诊断中的阳性率为94．7％,假阴性率为5．2％。肌电生理检查在腕管综合征诊断中的阳性率为76．2％,假阴性率为23．8％。结论高频超声检查可显示腕部被卡压的正中神经形态,对早期诊断腕管综合征有帮助。     

Surgical approach to cubital tunnel syndrome in the symptomatic osteoarthritic elbow

Objective  Decompression of the ulnar nerve and removal of osteophytes and free bodies to improve function, to relieve symptoms, and to lessen signs of cubital tunnel syndrome through a single incision. Indications  Cubital tunnel syndrome secondary to a progressing osteoarthritis, with chronic pain, impaired function and grade II or III symptoms of an ulnar entrapment neuropathy. Contraindications  Neglected cubital tunnel syndrome with advanced muscle atrophy and marked sensory disturbances. Severe osteoarthritis of elbow joint. Surgical Technique  Single posteromedial skin incision with longitudinal splitting of the common tendon of the triceps brachii muscle. To perform these procedures in a combined fashion: medial epicondylectomy; fenestration of the olecranon fossa to debride osteophytes; medial capsulotomy to resect loose bodies or osteophytes. Postoperative Care  The elbow is immobilized in 90° of flexion in a cast for 2 weeks. After removal of the sutures, hydrotherapy and active and passive range of motion exercises. Results  Between 1978 and 1992, 25 patients (23 men and two women, age range 15–70 years with a mean of 53 years) underwent combined cubital tunnel decompression and surgical debridement of the elbow joint. Follow-up assessments of all patients were completed after an average of 68 (26–170) months following surgery. Based on the criteria proposed by the British Nerve Injuries Committee, the clinical results were graded as excellent in six patients, good in 14, fair in four, and failure in one patient. The activity- related pain had improved markedly in ten patients, slightly in four, and was unchanged in six patients. Paresthesia improved in 20 patients and remained unchanged in five patients. The average preoperative grip strength was 26.4 kg and improved to an average of 29 kg.