Three-dimensional analysis of thumb motion recovery after carpal tunnel release

2021 ◽  
pp. 175319342110147
Author(s):  
Akira Kodama ◽  
Hiroshi Kurumadani ◽  
Teruyasu Tanaka ◽  
Rikuo Shinomiya ◽  
Toru Sunagawa ◽  
...  

This study quantified recovery of thumb motion in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome after carpal tunnel release using three-dimensional motion analysis with a retroreflective surface-based marker method. Eighteen hands from 14 patients who underwent carpal tunnel release for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome were included. The angular movements of the three joints of the thumb, the path length of the thumb tip and the area enclosed by the perimeter path of the thumb tip were measured during circumduction. The range of joint movement, including abduction/adduction of the trapeziometacarpal joint, and flexion/extension of the interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints and the path length of the thumb tips, improved significantly 1 year after surgery. The quantification of thumb kinematics helps to better understand motor dysfunction in carpal tunnel syndrome, assess the severity of the condition and decide on treatment. Level of evidence: IV

2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 4-5
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Brigham ◽  
James B. Talmage

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.


2021 ◽  
pp. 175319342110017
Author(s):  
Saskia F. de Roo ◽  
Philippe N. Sprangers ◽  
Erik T. Walbeehm ◽  
Brigitte van der Heijden

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (04) ◽  
pp. 248-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Hakime ◽  
Jonathan Silvera ◽  
Pascal Richette ◽  
Rémy Nizard ◽  
David Petrover

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahshid Nazarieh ◽  
Azadeh Hakakzadeh ◽  
Shima Ghannadi ◽  
Faezeh Maleklou ◽  
Zahra Tavakol ◽  
...  

: 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.


Author(s):  
Ahmadreza Afshar ◽  
Ali Tabrizi

AbstractCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a common neuropathy of the upper limb, is highly prevalent in diabetic patients. Recent findings indicate that changes in median nerve elasticity and its gliding characteristics may contribute to the development of CTS. Normally, each nerve should be able to adapt to the positional changes by passive movement relative to the surrounding tissues. This ability is provided by a gliding apparatus around the nerve trunk in the surrounding soft tissue. The fascicles of nerve trunks can also glide against each other (interfascicular gliding). Sonoelastography indicates that nerve elasticity is decreased in patients with CTS compared to healthy patients. Moreover, decreased nerve elasticity in diabetes mellitus type II is associated with increased neuropathy, especially in peripheral nerves. Biomechanical factors, oxidative stress, and microvascular defects are also observed in diabetic neuropathy and account for different complications. A reduction in the elasticity of peripheral nerves may be related to decreased interfascicular gliding because of the biomechanical changes that occur in neuropathy. Surgical treatments, including nerve release and reduction of carpal tunnel pressure, improve peripheral gliding but do not resolve disease symptoms completely. According to the evidence, interfascicular gliding dysfunction is the most important factor in the pathogenesis of CTS in diabetic patients. Available evidence suggests that biomechanical variations affect interfascicular gliding more than peripheral gliding in diabetic patients. Decreased nerve elasticity is strongly correlated with decreased interfascicular gliding. It is further hypothesized that the concurrent use of antioxidants and pharmacological treatment (neuroprotection) such as alpha lipoic acid with carpal tunnel release in diabetic patients may alleviate the interfascicular gliding dysfunction and improve median neve elasticity. Decreased nerve elasticity and interfascicular gliding dysfunction play significant roles in the pathogenesis of CTS in diabetic patients.


Hand ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-68
Author(s):  
Gideon Nkrumah ◽  
Alan R. Blackburn ◽  
Robert J. Goitz ◽  
John R. Fowler

Background: Increasing severity of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), as graded by nerve conduction studies (NCS), has been demonstrated to predict the speed and completeness of recovery after carpal tunnel release (CTR). The purpose of this study is to compare the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve in patients with severe and nonsevere CTS as defined by NCS. Methods: Ultrasound CSA measurements were taken at the carpal tunnel inlet at the level of the pisiform bone by a hand fellowship–trained orthopedic surgeon. Severe CTS on NCS was defined as no response for the distal motor latency (DML) and/or distal sensory latency (DSL). Results: A total of 274 wrists were enrolled in the study. The median age was 51 years (range: 18-90 years), and 72.6% of wrists were from female patients. CSA of median nerve and age were comparatively the best predictors of severity using a linear regression model and receiver operator curves. Using cutoff of 12 mm2 for severe CTS, the sensitivity and specificity are 37.5% and 81.9%, respectively. Conclusions: Ultrasound can be used to grade severity in younger patients (<65 years) with a CTS-6 score of >12.


2021 ◽  
pp. 117-120
Author(s):  
Padmapriyadarsini V ◽  
Navin K ◽  
Abdul Gafoor S ◽  
Chitra G

INTRODUCTION: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment syndrome of median nerve causing frequent disability especially among working populations. Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire and Electrophysiological study helps in detecting and aiding in the diagnosis of CTS and helps in determining level of improvement after surgical release of carpal tunnel. OBJECTIVES: To assess functional outcome of patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome after surgery as assessed by Boston Carpel Tunnel Questionnaire and Electrophysiological study. METHODS: A prospective observational study conducted over a period of one year (January 2017 to January 2018). The study was conducted among consecutive 31 electrophysiological conrmed carpal tunnel syndrome attending the outpatient department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. All patients underwent open carpal tunnel release. Functional outcome was assessed using Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) both preoperatively and at interval of 3 weeks, 6weeks and 3 months postoperatively. Electrophysiological study assessed using nerve conduction study both preoperatively and 3 weeks post operatively. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and analyzed using SPSS statistical software. RESULTS: The study involves 31 conrmed cases of Carpal tunnel syndrome patients. Mean Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) score preoperatively was 58.52 ± 12.73 which was markedly improved postoperatively at 3weeks with mean score of 29.77±6.68. At 6 weeks and 3 month follow up period it was reduced respectively to mean score of 23.94±4.23 and 22.94±4.62. Preoperative NCS shows decreased conduction velocity with mean nerve sensory velocity (NSV) score 21.51±8.19 and mean nerve motor velocity (NMV) score of 20.72±8.81 which statistically improved following surgery with mean NSV score of 32.04±9.01 and mean NML score of 33.78±8.1. Correlation between pre- and post-operative BCTQ and NCS parameters shows positive correlation with latency and negative correlation with amplitude and conduction velocity. Increased latency and decreased conduction velocity associated with higher BCTQ score with signicant 'p' value (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: There is statistically signicant improvement of functional outcome following carpal tunnel release surgery assessed through Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire and Electrophysiological ndings


2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (10) ◽  
pp. 1009-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie E Donachy ◽  
Emily L Christian

Abstract Background and Purpose. This case report describes the physical therapy examination, intervention, and outcomes for a patient with lymphedema following breast cancer treatment who underwent carpal tunnel release. Case Description. The patient was a 53-year-old woman with right upper-limb lymphedema and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in her right hand who underwent a carpal tunnel release. Management of her lymphedema included the use of general anesthesia with reduced tourniquet time in conjunction with physical therapy, which included use of compression bandaging, limb positioning, and exercise. Outcomes. Following surgical release, the patient' s numbness and pain were alleviated. Right-hand grip strength increased following active exercise. Girth of the forearm decreased 1 to 1.5 cm at the 2 most distal measurement sites, and girth of the arm increased 1.5 to 2 cm 6 months after surgery. Discussion. This case supports the option of elective hand surgery for CTS in an individual with chronic lymphedema.


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