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Ninety-three workers having undergone carpal tunnel decompression were assessed 16
to 100 months after surgery. The results of outcomes pertaining to symptoms of numbness,
nocturnal awakening, and pain as well as job status were compared to the patients'
preoperative nerve conduction study findings. Significant differences in preoperative
nerve-conduction values (NCVs) were found between groups reporting poor results and
those reporting good results. These differences were such that those reporting poor
results had more normal NCVs. Those reporting job changes because of carpal tunnel
syndrome also had more normal preoperative nerve-conduction results. Data indicate
that those with terminal latencies 1 ms greater than the testing facility normal value
or with sensory conduction velocity 10 ms less than the facility norm were more likely
to benetit from surgery. This study suggests the need for caution when considering
carpal tunnel surgery in workers with normal or near normal nerve-conduction results.
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
August 1,
1996
Received:
March 8,
1995
Footnotes
*No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commerical party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 1997 The American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved. Published by Elsevier Inc.
