Comparison of the results of open carpal tunnel release and KnifeLight carpal tunnel release

INTRODUCTION: The study compares the results of open release of carpal tunnel syndrome with a release done with a proprietary instrument, the KnifeLight, which uses a minimal access approach. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on two groups of patients operated on by the same surgeon between January 1998 and August 2002. All cases presented with numbness of six months duration or more, and a positive Phalen's test. Open carpal tunnel release was done in the first group of 26 consecutive patients before the KnifeLight was introduced in January 2000. The KnifeLight technique was used in a second consecutive group of 49 patients. In two patients, the KnifeLight procedure was abandoned because the median nerve could not be safely separated from the transverse carpal ligament. RESULTS: The two groups were shown to be comparable with respect to clinical presentation and nerve conduction studies. There was no complication in both groups. However, no advantage could be demonstrated in the use of the KnifeLight procedure as compared to the open procedure in respect to improvement in pain, numbness or patient satisfaction. The study also showed that the severity of nerve conduction changes is not related to the severity of numbness. It is also not a good guide to the improvement of numbness and patient satisfaction after the operation. CONCLUSION: The method was found to be acceptable to patients as an office procedure. The cost of doing either procedure is reduced when done as an office procedure, but there is a cost incurred in the use of the KnifeLight instrument.     

The carpal tunnel syndrome

Irish Journal of Medical Science (1926-1967) - The clinical picture of the carpal tunnel syndrome is reviewed, and its relationship to acroparaesthesia is discussed. Attention is drawn to the value...     

腕管综合征的电生理诊断

目的探讨腕管综合征的电生理诊断方法及其对临床治疗的指导意义.方法对72例临床诊断为腕管综合征患者,行肌电图(MEG)、手内肌末梢潜伏期(DML)、正中神经感觉动作电位(SNAP)和感觉传导速度(SNCV)测定,并作双侧对比.结果 72例腕管综合征患者,66例(91.6%)正中神经腕以下SNAP消失或波幅大幅衰减;57例(79.1%)正中神经腕以下SNCV较健侧或正常值减慢;48例(66.7%)拇短展肌末梢潜伏期(DML)大于4.5ms;33例(45.8%)大鱼际肌可见失神经电位,募集反应减弱.结论电生理检测能灵敏诊断腕管综合征,其灵敏性依次为:正中神经指到腕SNAP波幅衰减,SNCV减慢,拇短展肌DML延长,大鱼际肌失神经改变.     

Raynaud's syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome

We report three cases of Raynaud's syndrome with digital ischaemic ulceration, in association with carpal tunnel syndrome. In all cases, the aetiology of the Raynaud's syndrome was probably unrelated to the nerve compression. However, symptoms were worse on the side of the median nerve lesion in two patients and worse on the side with the most severe nerve dysfunction in the third; symptoms were relieved by carpal tunnel decompression in two patients. We suggest that carpal tunnel syndrome may exacerbate Raynaud's syndrome and should be considered particularly in patients with asymmetrical digital lesions.     

Primary care management of carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome of mild to moderate severity can often be effectively treated in a primary care environment. Workplace task modification and wrist splints can reduce or defer referral to hospital for surgical decompression. Nerve and tendon gliding exercises may also be of benefit. Steroid injections to the mouth of the carpal tunnel are particularly useful for symptomatic women in the third trimester of pregnancy. However inadvertent neural injection may cause disabling chronic pain. Referral to a minority of practitioners trained in the technique would ensure sufficient patient numbers to maintain skill levels.