Assessment of a diagnostic questionnaire and protocol for management of carpal tunnel syndrome

2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 665-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. E. J. HEMS ◽  
R. MILLER ◽  
A. MASSRAF ◽  
J. GREEN
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Management Model ◽  
Questionnaire Score ◽  
Nocturnal Pain ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Phalen's Test ◽  
Symptoms And Signs

One hundred and fifty-two patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) completed a questionnaire, including questions about the location of paraesthesia, nocturnal pain, the effect of shaking the hand, relief by use of a wrist splint and impairment of manual dexterity. A score was derived from the symptom questionnaire and clinical signs including Tinel’s test, Phalen’s test, and altered sensation. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) were done in 91 cases in which the diagnosis of CTS was in doubt. A threshold questionnaire score was selected as indicating a diagnosis of CTS. Sixty-six patients were predicted to have CTS. When compared with the results of NCS this score had a specificity of 67% and sensitivity of 82%. Ninety-five patients underwent carpal tunnel release. A management model has been developed based on the questionnaire score for symptoms and signs.

Median Neuropathy—Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan E. Lark ◽  
Nasa Fujihara ◽  
Kevin C. Chung
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Clinical Case ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Comprehensive Management ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Release Management ◽  
Phalen's Test ◽  
Median Neuropathy

This chapter presents general treatment strategies for carpal tunnel syndrome using a clinical case example. It discusses assessment and planning, diagnostic pearls, decision-making, surgical procedures (open and endoscopic carpal tunnel release), management pearls, aftercare, complications and their management, and evidence and outcomes. Physical exams, such as Phalen’s test or a Tinel sign over the median nerve, are introduced, whereas steps in the surgical procedure are shown with intraoperative photographs. The chapter provides information on modern practices for comprehensive management of carpal tunnel syndrome from start to finish.

Evaluation of the scratch collapse test for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome

2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. S. Makanji ◽  
S. J. E. Becker ◽  
C. S. Mudgal ◽  
J. B. Jupiter ◽  
D. Ring
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Physical Examination ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Scratch Test ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Phalen's Test ◽  
Thenar Atrophy

This prospective study measured and compared the diagnostic performance characteristics of various clinical signs and physical examination manoeuvres for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), including the scratch collapse test. Eighty-eight adult patients that were prescribed electrophysiological testing to diagnose CTS were enrolled in the study. Attending surgeons documented symptoms and results of standard clinical manoeuvres. The scratch collapse test had a sensitivity of 31%, which was significantly lower than the sensitivity of Phalen’s test (67%), Durkan’s test (77%), Tinel’s test (43%), CTS-6 lax (88%), and CTS-6 stringent (54%). The scratch test had a specificity of 61%, which was significantly lower than the specificity of thenar atrophy (96%) and significantly higher than the specificity of Durkan’s test (18%) and CTS-6 lax (13%). The sensitivity of the scratch collapse test was not superior to other clinical signs and physical examination manoeuvers for CTS, and the specificity of the scratch collapse test was superior to that of Durkan’s test and CTS-6 lax. Further studies should seek to limit the influence of a patient’s clinical presentation on scratch test performance and assess the scratch test’s inter-rater reliability.

Correlation of Clinical Signs with Nerve Conduction Tests in the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

1994 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 720-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. BUCH-JAEGER ◽  
G. FOUCHER
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Nerve Conduction ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Nerve Conduction Studies ◽  
Clinical Criteria ◽  
Operative Evaluation ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Phalen's Test ◽  
A Prospective Study

In order to establish the need for nerve conduction studies, a prospective study has been performed on 112 patients with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (172 symptomatic hands), seeking correlation with 11 clinical criteria taken either singly or in combination. Even when the patient presents with a typical clinical presentation of carpal tunnel syndrome the diagnosis is only confirmed electrophysiologically in 61% of cases. Analysis of the sensitivity and specificity of various clinical tests and diagnostic manoeuvres has shown their mediocre reliability in establishing the diagnosis with a sensitivity of 58% and a specificity of 54% for Phalen’s test. We consider nerve conduction studies to be an indispensable part of the pre-operative evaluation.

Clinical Update: Assessing Maximum Medical Improvement in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 4-5
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Brigham ◽  
James B. Talmage
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Proper Time ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Early Results ◽  
Medical Evaluation ◽  
Nerve Recovery ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract Permanent impairment cannot be assessed until the patient is at maximum medical improvement (MMI), but the proper time to test following carpal tunnel release often is not clear. The AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) states: “Factors affecting nerve recovery in compression lesions include nerve fiber pathology, level of injury, duration of injury, and status of end organs,” but age is not prognostic. The AMA Guides clarifies: “High axonotmesis lesions may take 1 to 2 years for maximum recovery, whereas even lesions at the wrist may take 6 to 9 months for maximal recovery of nerve function.” The authors review 3 studies that followed patients’ long-term recovery of hand function after open carpal tunnel release surgery and found that estimates of MMI ranged from 25 weeks to 24 months (for “significant improvement”) to 18 to 24 months. The authors suggest that if the early results of surgery suggest a patient's improvement in the activities of daily living (ADL) and an examination shows few or no symptoms, the result can be assessed early. If major symptoms and ADL problems persist, the examiner should wait at least 6 to 12 months, until symptoms appear to stop improving. A patient with carpal tunnel syndrome who declines a release can be rated for impairment, and, as appropriate, the physician may wish to make a written note of this in the medical evaluation report.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical options for recurrent or persistent carpal tunnel syndrome: simple decompression versus coverage of the median nerve

2021 ◽  
pp. 175319342110017
Author(s):  
Saskia F. de Roo ◽  
Philippe N. Sprangers ◽  
Erik T. Walbeehm ◽  
Brigitte van der Heijden
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Open Release ◽  
Flap Coverage ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome

We performed a systematic review on the success of different surgical techniques for the management of recurrent and persistent carpal tunnel syndrome. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria and were grouped by the type of revision carpal tunnel release, which were simple open release, open release with flap coverage or open release with implant coverage. Meta-analysis showed no difference, and pooled success proportions were 0.89, 0.89 and 0.85 for simple open carpal tunnel release, additional flap coverage and implant groups, respectively. No added value for coverage of the nerve was seen. Our review indicates that simple carpal tunnel release without additional coverage of the median nerve seems preferable as it is less invasive and without additional donor site morbidity. We found that the included studies were of low quality with moderate risk of bias and did not differentiate between persistent and recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome.

scholarly journals Ultrasound-Guided Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A New Interventional Procedure

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (04) ◽  
pp. 248-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Hakime ◽  
Jonathan Silvera ◽  
Pascal Richette ◽  
Rémy Nizard ◽  
David Petrover
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Interventional Procedure ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Ultrasound Guided ◽  
Recent Contribution ◽  
Invasive Approach ◽  
Guided Surgery ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Meta Analyses

AbstractCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) may be treated surgically if medical treatment fails. The classical approach involves release of the flexor retinaculum by endoscopic or open surgery. Meta-analyses have shown that the risk of nerve injury may be higher with endoscopic treatment. The recent contribution of ultrasound to the diagnosis and therapeutic management of CTS opens new perspectives. Ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release via a minimally invasive approach enables the whole operation to be performed as a percutaneous radiological procedure. The advantages are a smaller incision compared with classical techniques; great safety during the procedure by visualization of anatomic structures, particularly variations in the median nerve; and realization of the procedure under local anesthesia. These advantages lead to a reduction in postsurgical sequelae and more rapid resumption of daily activities and work. Dressings are removed by the third day postsurgery. Recent studies seem to confirm the medical, economic, and aesthetic benefits of this new approach.

scholarly journals Non-Surgical Management and Post-Surgical Rehabilitation of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Algorithmic Approach and Practical Guideline

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahshid Nazarieh ◽  
Azadeh Hakakzadeh ◽  
Shima Ghannadi ◽  
Faezeh Maleklou ◽  
Zahra Tavakol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Surgical Management ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Operative Management ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Multiple Treatment ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome

: One of the most common forms of entrapment neuropathy is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). There are various treatment options for CTS. However, there are no clear and structured guidelines. This review classified the existing treatments and developed an algorithm to help physicians to choose the best option for their patients. Treatment options were summarized in three sections: non-surgical management of CTS, post-operative management of CTS, and practical open carpal tunnel release post-op protocol. The physicians can prescribe multiple treatment options to CTS patients. Corticosteroid in oral or injectable form has strong evidence in pain control and functional improvement in the short term. Shockwave therapy and nocturnal wrist splints display moderate therapeutic effects. Post carpal tunnel release rehabilitation can be started a few days after the operation.

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