scholarly journals Management of Recurrent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Microneurolysis and the Hypothenar Fat Pad Flap

Hand ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 85-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randall O. Craft ◽  
Scott F. M. Duncan ◽  
Anthony A. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Soft Tissue Coverage ◽  
Transverse Carpal Ligament ◽  
Fat Pad ◽  
Average Improvement ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Hypothenar Fat Pad Flap

A retrospective chart review for the period between 1998 and 2006 was conducted to evaluate microneurolysis combined with a hypothenar fat pad flap (HTFPF) for patients at Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, who were being treated for recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. After exclusion of patients with incomplete release of the transverse carpal ligament at the time of the original operation, 28 consecutive patients were identified. Their average age was 68.5 years (range 43–89 years). The average interval between the original carpal tunnel release and reexploration was 82 months (range 5–298 months). The average follow-up was 10.5 months (range 3–48.4 months). The preoperative two-point discrimination tests averaged 7 mm (range 5–12 mm). At surgery, all patients were found to have fibrosis surrounding the median nerve with adherence of the nerve to the radial leaf of the transverse carpal ligament. After surgery, the Tinel sign disappeared in 26 of 28 patients and two-point discrimination improved to an average of 6 mm (range 4–8 mm). Postoperative grip strength averaged 20 kg, compared with 11 kg preoperatively. Pain completely disappeared in 83% of patients (average improvement 93%, range 5–100%). Numbness completely disappeared in 42% of patients (average improvement 82.9%, range 5–100%). Tingling disappeared in 50% of patients (average improvement 84.7%, range 5–100%). No patient reported being worse after reoperation. These results suggest that the combination of microneurolysis and HTFPF can restore median nerve gliding and provide soft-tissue coverage, improving symptoms in patients with recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome.

CLINICAL AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF SOFT TISSUE COVERAGE OF THE MEDIAN NERVE IN RECURRENT CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

2008 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
pp. 194-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas M. Stütz ◽  
Andreas Gohritz ◽  
Alexander Novotny ◽  
Udo Falkenberg ◽  
Ulrich Lanz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Soft Tissue Coverage ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome

Experimentally and Theoretically Narrowing Carpal Arch Width to Increase the Area Formed by the Transverse Carpal Ligament

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suk H. Yu ◽  
Tracy A. Mondello ◽  
Zong-Ming Li
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Transverse Carpal Ligament ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Arch Width ◽  
Endoscopic Release ◽  
Volar Aspect ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is conventionally treated by open and endoscopic release surgeries in which transecting the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) relieves mechanical insults around the median nerve. The TCL release surgeries yield an increase in the tunnel cross-sectional area particularly within the volar aspect of the tunnel, the arch area, where the median nerve is located. As a result of increased arch area, post-operative follow-up studies using MRI confirmed a significant volar migration of the median nerve [1]. However, transecting the TCL compromises critical biomechanical roles of the carpal tunnel [2], and therefore, it is imperative to investigate an alternative method for treating carpal tunnel syndrome patients while preserving the TCL. Li et al. suggested that increasing the TCL length and narrowing the carpal arch width (CAW) as potential alternatives for increasing the arch area [3]. However, the data from their application of palmarly directed forces to the TCL from inside of the tunnel showed that the TCL length remained relatively constant while the carpal bones were mobilized to increase the arch area [3]. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between CAW narrowing and the TCL-formed arch area by experimental and geometrical modeling.

scholarly journals Hypothenar fat pad flap vs conventional open release in primary carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 846-852
Author(s):  
Thepparat Kanchanathepsak ◽  
Wilarat Wairojanakul ◽  
Thitiporn Phakdepiboon ◽  
Sorasak Suppaphol ◽  
Ittirat Watcharananan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Fat Pad ◽  
Open Release ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Hypothenar Fat Pad Flap

scholarly journals MRI Assessment of Changes in Swelling of Wrist Structures Following OMT in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Kenneth A. Ramey ◽  
Robert E. Kappler ◽  
Murthy Chimata ◽  
John Hohner ◽  
Angelique C. Mizera
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Thoracic Spine ◽  
Nerve Conduction ◽  
Transverse Carpal Ligament ◽  
Upper Thoracic Spine ◽  
Pain Ratings ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Upper Thoracic

Abstract We treated patients with carpal tunnel syndrome using OMT. Treatments were focused on the upper thoracic spine, lower cervical spine, and tenderpoints in the forearm muscles. OMT was not applied to the wrist in an attempt to stretch the transverse carpal ligament. MRI images were used to assess changes in fluid content in both the carpal tunnel and median nerve after OMT treatment. MRI measurements of median nerve area, carpal tunnel area and length of the transverse carpal ligament were also obtained. These measurements were correlated with changes in nerve conduction velocities (NCVs), pain ratings, wrist motion measurements, and somatic dysfunction information. The numeric data were compared and contrasted using Hest statistics. Significance probabilities of P < 0.05 were computed. Statistically significant changes were noted in pain ratings, wrist motions and nerve conduction (sensory amplitude). Five patients responded with improvement in symptoms and one did not. The responder group demonstrated a decrease in the amount of swelling of both the median nerve and carpal tunnel. The nonresponder demonstrated increased swelling in both the median nerve and carpal tunnel. Changes in the swelling of both the median nerve and carpal tunnel appear to more closely parallel changes in hand symptoms than nerve conduction results.1 No statistically significant increases occurred in the length of the transverse carpal ligament or the carpal tunnel area. Minimal changes in both the length of the transverse carpal ligament and carpal tunnel area did occur despite no active attempts to stretch this region. All six patients had a predominance of acute changes in the upper thoracic spine and upper ribs. Most patients had tension in the flexor muscles of the forearm. Treatment of the upper thoracic spine, upper ribs, and forearms are all important in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome.

PEDICLED HYPOTHENAR FAT FLAP FOR MEDIAN NERVE COVERAGE IN RECALCITRANT CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Hand Surgery ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 05 (01) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ch. Mathoulin ◽  
J. Bahm ◽  
S. Roukoz
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Anatomical Study ◽  
Ulnar Artery ◽  
Transverse Carpal Ligament ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Surgery ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Normal Nerve Conduction

We report the use of a hypothenar pedicled fat flap to cover the median nerve in recalcitrant carpal tunnel syndrome. Forty-five patients with recurrent symptoms after previous carpal tunnel surgery were included in this study. Patients with incomplete release of the transverse carpal ligament were not included. We performed an anatomical study on 30 cadavers. The original technique with the section of the deep branch of ulnar artery was modified. The flap could be transferred onto the median nerve without stretching. The median follow-up was 45 months (range, 12–80 months). Pain completely disappeared in 41 patients with normal nerve conduction. Based on clinical and electromyographic signs, the global results showed excellent results (49%), 19 good results (45%), two average results (4.5%) and two failures (2%). The use of a hypothenar pedicled fat flap to cover the median nerve in recalcitrant carpal tunnel syndrome is a simple and efficient technique which improves the trophic environment of the median nerve and relieves pain.

The History of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

1988 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-34
Author(s):  
G. B. PFEFFER ◽  
R. H. GELBERMAN ◽  
J. H. BOYES ◽  
B. RYDEVIK
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Transverse Carpal Ligament ◽  
Motor Branch ◽  
Compressive Neuropathy ◽  
Anatomical Localization ◽  
History Of ◽  
Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most frequently diagnosed, best understood and most easily treated entrapment neuropathy. During the first half of the 20th century, however, most patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were diagnosed as having compression of either the brachial plexus or thenar nerve motor branch of the median nerve. As late as 1950, only twelve patients with operative release of the transverse carpal ligament for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome had been reported. The delay in accurate anatomical localization of this compressive neuropathy can be attributed both to the confusion caused by the diverse manifestations of median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel, and to some interesting developments that altered early investigations in this area.

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