Search

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common nerve entrapment disorder worldwide. The epidemiology and risk factors, including family burden, for developing CTS are multi-factorial. Despite much research, its intricate pathophysiological mechanism(s) are not fully understood. An underlying subclinical neuropathy may indicate an increased susceptibility to developing CTS. Although surgery is often performed for CTS, clear international guidelines to indicate when to perform non-surgical or surgical treatment, based on stage and severity of CTS, remain to be elucidated. Neurophysiological examination, using electrophysiology or ultrasonography, performed in certain circumstances, should correlate with the history and findings in clinical examination of the person with CTS. History and clinical examination are particularly relevant globally owing to lack of other equipment. Various instruments are used to assess CTS and treatment outcomes as well as the effect of the disorder on quality of life. The surgical treatment options of CTS - open or endoscopic - offer an effective solution to mitigate functional impairments and pain. However, there are risks of post-operative persistent or recurrent symptoms, requiring meticulous diagnostic re-evaluation before any additional surgery. Health-care professionals should have increased awareness about CTS and all its implications. Future considerations of CTS include use of linked national registries to understand risk factors, explore possible screening methods, and evaluate diagnosis and treatment with a broader perspective beyond surgery, including psychological well-being., (© 2024. Springer Nature Limited.)

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs more often among individuals with diabetes. The aim of this retrospective observational registry study was to examine whether individuals with diabetes and CTS are treated surgically to the same extent as individuals with CTS but without diabetes. Data on CTS diagnosis and surgery were collected from the Skåne Healthcare Register (SHR). A total of 35,105 individuals (age ≥ 18 years) diagnosed with CTS from 2004-2019 were included. Data were matched to the Swedish National Diabetes Register (NDR. Cox regression models were used to calculate the risk of the use of surgical treatment. Of the 35,105 included individuals with a CTS diagnosis, 17,662 (50%) were treated surgically, and 4,966 (14%) had diabetes. A higher number of individuals with diabetes were treated surgically (2,935/4,966, 59%) than individuals without diabetes (14,727/30,139, 49%). In the Cox regression model, diabetes remained a significant risk factor for surgical treatment (PR 1.14 (95% CI 1.11-1.17)). Individuals with type 1 diabetes were more frequently treated surgically (490/757, 65%) than individuals with type 2 diabetes (2,445/4,209, 58%). There was no difference between the sexes and their treatment. The duration of diabetes was also a risk factor for surgical treatment in diabetes type 2, but high HbA1c levels were not. Individuals with diabetes are more likely to be treated surgically for CTS than individuals without diabetes. Individuals with type 1 diabetes are more likely to be treated surgically for CTS than individuals with type 2 diabetes., Competing Interests: I have read the journal’s policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: MZ has been a consultant for Ansell Medical on hand problems in dentistry., (Copyright: © 2024 Svensson et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Knowledge about risks for overuse of psychoactive analgesics in patients having primary surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or ulnar nerve entrapment (UNE), or both, is limited. We investigated if patients with those nerve entrapment disorders have a higher risk of overuse of psychoactive analgesics (i.e., opioids and gabapentinoid drugs) before, after, and both before and after surgery than observed in the general population after accounting for demographical and socioeconomic factors. Using a large record linkage database, we analysed 5,966,444 individuals (25-80 years), residing in Sweden December 31st, 2010-2014, of which 31,380 underwent surgery 2011-2013 for CTS, UNE, or both, applying logistic regression to estimate relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Overall, overuse of the psychoactive analgesics was low in the general population. Compared to those individuals, unadjusted RR (95% CI) of overuse ranged in patients between 2.77 (2.57-3.00) with CTS after surgery and 6.21 (4.27-9.02) with both UNE and CTS after surgery. These risks were only slightly reduced after adjustment for demographical and socioeconomic factors. Patients undergoing surgery for CTS, UNE, or both, have a high risk of overuse of psychoactive analgesics before, after, and both before and after surgery., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Aim: To compare vibrotactile sense, 5 years after carpal tunnel release in people with and without diabetes., Methods: Out of 35 people with diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome, age- and gender-matched with 31 people without diabetes but with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome, 27 and 30 people, respectively, participated in this prolonged follow-up. Vibration perception threshold of the index and little finger (median and ulnar nerve, respectively), 5 years after surgery, was measured at seven different frequencies (8, 16, 32, 64, 125, 250 and 500 Hz)., Results: Significant improvement of vibration perception threshold from 1 to 5 years after carpal tunnel release was found at 64 Hz for people with diabetes, while improvement for people without diabetes was demonstrated at several frequencies (64-250 Hz). However, both groups demonstrated a significant decrease in vibration perception threshold for the low frequencies (8-16 Hz). At 5 years, people with diabetes had significantly impaired vibration perception threshold at the index finger for high frequencies (125-500 Hz), and for nearly all frequencies (16 Hz, 64-500 Hz) at the little finger, compared to people without diabetes., Conclusion: After carpal tunnel release, significant mid-term improvement of vibrotactile sense appears limited for people with diabetes, compared to a continuous improvement for people without diabetes. In addition, a decline in low-frequency vibrotactile sense occurs for the median as well as the ulnar nerve innervated fingers. Clinical Trial Registration NCT01201109., (© 2020 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Diabetes UK.)

The study aimed to investigate socioeconomic factors in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and to evaluate their impact on outcome following open carpal tunnel release (OCTR). Data from the National Quality Register for Hand Surgery were combined with socioeconomic data (marital status, education level, earnings, migrant status, occupation, sick leave, unemployment, and social assistance) from Statistics Sweden to evaluate OCTRs performed from 2010 to 2016 (total 10,746 OCTRs). Patients completed QuickDASH (short version of Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand) questionnaires preoperatively (n = 3597) and at three (n = 2824) and 12 months (n = 2037) postoperatively. The effect of socioeconomic factors on QuickDASH scores was analyzed with linear regression analysis. Socioeconomically deprived patients scored higher on the QuickDASH on all occasions than patients with higher socioeconomic status. Being widowed, having a low education level, low earnings, immigrant status, frequent sick leave and dependence on social assistance all increased the postoperative QuickDASH score at 12 months. The change in total score for QuickDASH between preoperative and 12 months postoperatively did not vary between the groups. We conclude that such factors as being widowed, having a lower education level, low earnings, immigrant status, frequent sick leave and social assistance dependence are associated with more symptoms both before and after OCTR for CTS, but these factors do not affect the relative improvement in QuickDASH.

Cold sensitivity is common following nerve injuries in the upper extremity, but is less well studied in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). We investigated cold sensitivity in CTS and its effects on surgical outcome. A search of the Swedish National Registry for Hand Surgery (HAKIR) for open carpal tunnel releases (OCTR) from 2010-2016 identified 10,746 cases. Symptom severity questionnaires (HQ-8; HAKIR questionnaire 8, eight Likert-scale items scored 0-100, one item on cold sensitivity) and QuickDASH scores before and after surgery were collected. Patient mean age was 56 ± SD 16 years, and 7,150/10,746 (67%) were women. Patients with severe cold sensitivity (defined as cold intolerance symptom severity score > 70; n = 951), scored significantly higher on QuickDASH at all time points compared to those with mild cold sensitivity (cold intolerance symptom severity scores ≤ 30, n = 1,532); preoperatively 64 [50-75] vs. 40 [25-55], at three months 32 [14-52] vs. 18 [9-32] and at 12 months 25 [7-50] vs. 9 [2-23]; all p < 0.0001. Severe cold sensitivity predicted higher postoperative QuickDASH scores at three [12.9 points (95% CI 10.2-15.6; p < 0.0001)] and at 12 months [14.8 points (11.3-18.4; p < 0.0001)] compared to mild cold sensitivity, and adjustment for a concomitant condition in the hand/arm, including ulnar nerve compression, did not influence the results. Cold sensitivity improves after OCTR. A higher preoperative degree of cold sensitivity is associated with more preoperative and postoperative disability and symptoms than a lower degree of cold sensitivity, but with the same improvement in QuickDASH score.

Introduction: The long-term results of neurophysiological recovery after carpal tunnel release in patients with diabetes have not been studied., Methods: Thirty-five patients with diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) were matched with 31 patients without diabetes who had idiopathic CTS, and 27 and 30 patients, respectively, participated in this follow-up study. Nerve conduction results at 5 years were compared with previously published results at baseline and 1 year., Results: Significant neurophysiological improvement continued from 1 to 5 years after carpal tunnel release for patients with and without diabetes. However, wrist-palm sensory conduction velocity was still abnormal for 85% and 43% of patients with and without diabetes, respectively. Although diabetes had an impact on 4 of 10 measured neurophysiological parameters, the influence of peripheral neuropathy seemed insignificant., Discussion: After carpal tunnel release, significant long-term neurophysiological improvement is possible for patients with diabetes, and it is not influenced by the presence of peripheral neuropathy. Muscle Nerve 56: E59-E64, 2017., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: The aim was to evaluate the influence of smoking and preoperative electrophysiology on the outcome of open carpal tunnel release., Methods: This retrospective observational study evaluated the outcome in 493 patients (531 hands) primary operated for carpal tunnel syndrome. Data were collected from medical records, health evaluations, and QuickDASH questionnaires before surgery and 1 year after., Results: Smokers had a higher QuickDASH score preoperatively as well as postoperatively, but the change in total score did not differ. The odds of having a postoperative QuickDASH score >10 were 2.5 times higher in smoking patients than in non-smoking patients. In 124/493 patients (25%), no clinically significant improvement was seen. Normal and extreme preoperative electrophysiology values were associated with higher postoperative scores. No correlation was found between preoperative QuickDASH scores and preoperative electrophysiology values., Conclusions: Smokers with carpal tunnel syndrome experience more symptoms preoperatively. Smokers have remaining symptoms after surgery. There is no correlation between preoperative QuickDASH scores and preoperative electrophysiology values. Patients with normal or near to normal preoperative electrophysiology results have limited improvement after surgery.

Objective: The standard surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), with an open carpal tunnel release, is reported to relieve symptoms in most patients. In a retrospective observational study, outcome after open carpal tunnel release was evaluated, focusing on factors related to the metabolic syndrome: diabetes, hypertension, obesity (BMI ≥30) and statin treatment., Methods: Results from 493 out of 962 patients (531/1044 hands) operated for CTS during 18 months that had filled in QuickDASH questionnaires before and 1-year after surgery were included in the study., Results: Patients with diabetes (n = 76) had higher QuickDASH scores pre- (56 [36-77]; i.e. median [interquartile range]) and postoperatively (31 [9-61]) compared to patients without diabetes (48 [32-66]; p < 0.05 and 16 [5-43]; p < 0.001), but the change in total score was equal. A higher proportion of patients with diabetes had a postoperative score of >10 (74% vs 61%; p < 0.05). The odds of having a change in QuickDASH score <8 was 2.6-times higher in patients with polyneuropathy than in patients without polyneuropathy. Patients with hypertension, obesity, or statin treatment had a similar improvement after surgery as patients without these factors., Conclusions: Patients with diabetes without neuropathy, as well as patients with hypertension, obesity or statin treatment, and CTS can expect the same effects of open carpal tunnel release as otherwise healthy patients. Patients with diabetic neuropathy and CTS did not experience the same improvement as otherwise healthy patients and should be informed about the risk of an unsatisfactory outcome.

Bullosis diabeticorum is a cutaneous manifestation of diabetes mellitus, mainly observed in the lower extremities in patients with longstanding disease. The etiology is unknown, but an association with neurologic or vascular disturbances has been suggested. We have reviewed a case of a 70-year-old man with rapid development of bullae in median nerve innervated fingertips following carpal tunnel release., (Copyright © 2015 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims/hypothesis: We sought to establish the molecular and pathological changes predisposing diabetic and non-diabetic patients to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)., Methods: The posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) was biopsied in 25 diabetic and 19 non-diabetic patients undergoing carpal tunnel decompression for CTS. Detailed morphometric and immunohistological analyses were performed in the nerve biopsy., Results: In diabetic patients median nerve distal motor latency was prolonged (p < 0.05 vs non-diabetic patients), PIN myelinated fibre density (p < 0.05), fibre area (p < 0.0001) and axon area (p < 0.0001) were reduced, the percentage of unassociated Schwann cell profiles (p < 0.0001) and unmyelinated axon density (p < 0.0001) were increased and the axon diameter was reduced (p < 0.0001). Endoneurial capillary basement membrane area was increased (p < 0.0001) in diabetic patients, but endothelial cell number was increased (p < 0.01) and luminal area was reduced (p < 0.05) in non-diabetic patients with CTS. There was no difference in the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with CTS. However, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) (p < 0.05) and its receptors VEGFR-1 (p < 0.01) and VEGFR-2 (p < 0.05) was significantly increased in diabetic patients, particularly those with type 1 diabetes, and related to the severity of nerve fibre pathology., Conclusions/interpretation: This study demonstrates increased nerve fibre and microvascular pathology in relation to enhanced expression of VEGF and its receptors in a non-compressed nerve in diabetic compared with non-diabetic patients with CTS. It therefore provides a potential molecular and pathological basis for the predisposition of diabetic patients to the development of CTS.

Purpose: To compare clinical outcomes 5 years after carpal tunnel release among patients with and without diabetes., Methods: In a prospective consecutive series, 35 patients with diabetes (median age, 54 y; 15 type 1 and 20 type 2 diabetes) with carpal tunnel syndrome were age- and sex-matched with 31 control patients without diabetes (median age, 51 y) with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. Exclusion criteria were other nerve entrapment, cervical radiculopathy, inflammatory joint disease, thyroid disorder, previous wrist fracture, and long-term exposure to vibrating tools. Participants were examined independently at baseline, 1 year, and 5 years after surgery for sensory function (Semmes-Weinstein), motor function (abductor pollicis brevis muscle strength and grip strength), cold intolerance, and completion of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire symptom severity and functional status score., Results: Five years after surgery, the overall attendance rate for clinical examinations and completion of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire were 86% and 95%, respectively. Between 1 and 5 years after surgery, there was a tendency toward a decrease in sensory function but an increase in motor function, with no statistically significant difference between groups. Cold intolerance demonstrated long-term significant improvement for patients with diabetes. The improvement in symptom severity and functional status score, as well as the large effect size, were maintained at 5 years in both patient groups., Conclusions: Long-term improvement in patients with diabetes remained after carpal tunnel release to the same extent as for patients without diabetes. Furthermore, improvement in cold intolerance in patients with diabetes suggests the potential for the long-term regeneration of small nerve fibers., Type of Study/level of Evidence: Prognostic I., (Copyright © 2014 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate activity limitations before and after carpal tunnel release among patients with and without diabetes, to explore differences between genders and the influence of grip strength on activity limitations., Design: Prospective case-control study., Patients: Thirty-three patients with diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) were age and gender matched with 30 patients without diabetes having idiopathic CTS., Methods: Activity limitations were assessed pre-operatively, 3 and 12 months after surgery, with the self-administered Evaluation of Daily Activities Questionnaire (EDAQ) containing 102 activity items in 11 dimensions and 3 additional male-activity-oriented dimensions including 22 items., Results: For all dimensions the mean score was higher for patients with diabetes compared with patients without diabetes. This indicates a more pronounced activity limitation for patients with diabetes. However, no statistical differences between the two groups could be demonstrated. In general, females have significantly higher activity limitation scores than males., Conclusion: CTS creates a broad variety of activity limitations for affected patients. After carpal tunnel release a significant alleviation of these limitations occurs within the first 3 months. Activity limitations seem not to be related to diabetes, but were more pronounced in women than in men, probably due to reduced grip strength.

Aim: To evaluate vibration perception thresholds of patients with and without diabetes, before and after surgical carpal tunnel release., Methods: In a prospective study, 35 consecutive patients with diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome were age and gender matched with 31 patients without diabetes having idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. Preoperatively, 6, 12 and 52 weeks after surgery, the vibration perception threshold of the index and little finger (median and ulnar nerve, respectively) was measured at seven different frequencies (8, 16, 32, 64, 125, 250 and 500 Hz)., Results: At several frequencies, patients with diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome demonstrated significantly impaired vibration perception thresholds of both the index and the little finger, before as well as after carpal tunnel release, compared with patients without diabetes with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. After surgery, the overall sensibility index improved for the index finger [patients with diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome (0.79 to 0.91, P < 0.001), patients without diabetes with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (0.91 to 0.96, P > 0.05)] as well as for the little finger [patients with diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome (0.82 to 0.90, P < 0.008), patients without diabetes with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (0.95 to 0.99, P < 0.05)]. For the index finger, the sensibility index improved to a significantly higher degree for patients with diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome not having signs of peripheral neuropathy (0.83 to 0.95, P < 0.001) compared with those with neuropathy (0.74 to 0.84, P < 0.02). Vibration perception threshold correlates with age of both patients with diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome and patients without diabetes with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome, while no relationship was found based on duration of diabetes., Conclusions: Vibrotactile sense is significantly impaired in patients with diabetes before and after carpal tunnel release compared with patients without diabetes. However, patients with diabetes obtained significant recovery of vibration perception threshold, particularly those without peripheral neuropathy., (© 2011 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine © 2011 Diabetes UK.)

Objective: To compare nerve conduction study results, before and after surgical carpal tunnel release, in diabetic and non-diabetic patients., Methods: In a prospective study (2004-2007), we included 35 consecutive diabetic patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), who were age and gender matched with 31 non-diabetic patients having idiopathic CTS. Preoperatively, and at the 1 year follow-up, nerve conduction studies were performed of the median and ulnar nerve. Presence of neuropathy was based on abnormal preoperative neurophysiologic values in both the sural and the peroneal nerve., Results: Diabetic patients demonstrated significantly impaired nerve conduction parameters, before as well as after surgical carpal tunnel release, compared to non-diabetic patients. However, neurophysiologic recovery after carpal tunnel release was not different between the two patient groups or between diabetic patients with or without peripheral neuropathy. In general, the largest neurophysiologic recovery was demonstrated for parameters with the greatest impairment, but normal values were seldom reached., Conclusions: Marked neurophysiologic impairment of the median nerve, or signs of peripheral neuropathy, does not preclude significant recovery after carpal tunnel release in diabetic patients., Significance: Diabetic patients with CTS should be offered the same opportunities for surgical carpal tunnel release as non-diabetic patients., (2010 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims: To determine health-related quality of life (HRQL) in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) before and after surgical treatment., Methods: In a prospective study, 35 consecutive diabetic patients with CTS were age and gender matched with 31 non-diabetic patients with idiopathic CTS. At baseline (preoperatively), 6, 12 and 52 weeks after surgical carpal tunnel release, patients completed the generic Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and the disease-specific Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ)., Results: The SF-36 physical component scores at baseline were significantly reduced for diabetic (39+/-7.4) compared with non-diabetic patients (48+/-9.0) (P<0.05). Mixed model analysis demonstrated no differences in post-surgical improvement over time between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The largest clinical effect was found for bodily pain (effect size 0.8). However, population norms were not reached for the diabetic patients. At baseline, no difference was found in mental component score, which deteriorated over time for diabetic patients. At baseline, BCTQ demonstrated that diabetic patients experienced more pronounced 'numbness in the hand' than non-diabetic patients. Large clinical improvements were found in both symptom severity (effect size 1.98-2.14) and functional status score (effect size 0.89-0.94) for both diabetic and non-diabetic patients, with no difference between the two patient groups., Conclusions: HRQL is impaired in diabetic patients with CTS compared with non-diabetic patients with CTS and population norms. However, diabetic patients experience similar symptomatic and functional benefits from carpal tunnel release as do non-diabetic patients.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compression lesion of peripheral nerves with a prevalence of 4%. It is often treated by release of the flexor retinaculum, which may completely relieve the symptoms. Although such treatment is considered successful, there are probably many patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms. Recurrence implies that the patient's symptoms were initially relieved but recurred some time after the operation; this is a controversial field in which clear definitions, aetiology, diagnosis, and treatment seem uncertain. We describe recurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome and summarise possibilities for diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

The underlying basis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and the basis of its increased incidence in diabetes are unknown. We have quantified pathology in an uncompressed nerve (posterior interosseous nerve, PIN) in the forearm between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with CTS and control subjects. In an age- and gender-matched series, 26 diabetic patients with CTS and 20 non-diabetic patients with CTS underwent biopsy of the PIN at the time of surgical carpal tunnel release. Control subjects consisted of ten PIN biopsies taken postmortem and three biopsies taken at the time of wrist surgery. We found PIN myelinated nerve fibre density significantly reduced in diabetic (mean 5,373/mm2 [95% confidence interval, 4,835–5,911]) and non-diabetic (6,617/mm2 [5,697–7,537]) patients with CTS compared to control subjects (9,109/mm2 [7,967–10,250], P < 0.001). Furthermore, diabetic patients had a significantly lower density than non-diabetic patients (P < 0.03). Endoneurial capillary density was also reduced in diabetic (58/mm2 [50–66]) and non-diabetic (67/mm2 [55–78]) patients compared to control subjects (86/mm2 [72–101], P < 0.02) with no difference between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with CTS. Our results suggest that a reduction in myelinated nerve fibre and capillary densities may predispose patients, particularly those with diabetes, to develop CTS.

Aims: Myelinated nerve fibre pathology has been demonstrated at wrist level in diabetic patients. We examined if quantification of intra-epidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) in hairy and glabrous skin at wrist level could detect signs of subclinical small nerve fibre neuropathy., Methods: In 35 diabetic patients who were age and gender matched with 31 non-diabetic patients, punch biopsies were obtained in conjunction with surgical carpal tunnel release. Biopsies were immunostained with anti-protein gene product (PGP) 9.5. The IENFD was quantified using manual counting by light microscopy., Results: We could not demonstrate significant differences in IENFD between diabetic or non-diabetic patients. Additionally, no differences were found between patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes or in diabetic patients with and without neurophysiologic signs of mild peripheral neuropathy. However, the IENFD was significantly higher in hairy skin compared with glabrous skin. Furthermore, the IENFD was significantly higher in females than in males and correlated with age, but not with duration of diabetes or glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c))., Conclusions: In mild neuropathy no difference in IENFD at the wrist level could be detected between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Independent of diabetes, we found IENFD to be higher in hairy skin compared with glabrous skin and higher in females than in males. These results must be taken into consideration when assessing small nerve fibre pathology in the upper extremity.

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcome after carpal tunnel release in diabetic and nondiabetic patients., Methods: We evaluated a prospective, consecutive series of 35 diabetic patients (median age, 54 years; 15 with type 1 and 20 with type 2 diabetes) with carpal tunnel syndrome, who were age- and gender-matched with 31 nondiabetic patients (median age, 51 years) having idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. Exclusion criteria were other focal nerve entrapments, cervical radiculopathy, inflammatory joint disease, renal failure, thyroid disorders, previous wrist fracture, and long-term exposure to vibrating tools. Participants were examined independently at baseline (preoperatively) and 6, 12, and 52 weeks after surgery, including evaluating sensory function (Semmes-Weinstein), motor function (abductor pollicis brevis muscle strength and grip strength), pillar pain, cold intolerance, and patient satisfaction., Results: The number of patients with normal sensory function (pulp of index finger) increased notably in both patient groups from baseline (diabetic patients, 7 of 35; nondiabetic patients, 10 of 31) compared with the 52-week follow-up (diabetic patients, 25 of 35; nondiabetic patients, 24 of 31). Grip strength decreased temporarily at 6 weeks but recovered completely after 12 weeks. At the 52-week follow-up, mean grip strength (95% confidence interval) had improved significantly in both patient groups (diabetic patients: 3.0 kg [-0.3 to 6.2], nondiabetic patients: 3.4 kg [0.2 to 6.6]). Pillar pain correlated significantly with grip strength at the 6-week follow-up (r(s) = -0.41 to -0.54 [p < .05]). The number of patients reporting cold intolerance decreased over time (diabetic patients, 22 of 35 to 19 of 35; nondiabetic patients, 18 of 31 to 8 of 31), but decreased markedly less for the diabetic patients. Level of patient satisfaction was equal between groups. Comparing type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients, no important difference was noted on any test variables., Conclusions: Patients with diabetes have the same beneficial outcome after carpal tunnel release as nondiabetic patients. Only cold intolerance demonstrated a lesser extent of relief for diabetic patients., Type of Study/level of Evidence: Prognostic I.

Fifteen patients (10 women and 5 men; median age 46 years; range 28-55), with recurrent severe carpal tunnel syndrome, were operated on with re-exploration and cover of the median nerve with free or pedicled flaps (five pedicled ulnar flaps, one pedicled dorsal forearm flap (served by the posterior interosseus artery), one groin flap, three free scapular flaps, and five free lateral arm flaps). The patients were followed up by a self-administered questionnaire at 3 months-14 years (median 8.5 years) after operation and replies were obtained from 14 patients. There was a significant improvement in pain (p = 0.01) and percussion tenderness at the wrist (p = 0.02), but no significant improvement in allodynia and cold intolerance in the hand as evaluated by the use of a visual analogue scale (VAS). Three of the 14 patients had less numbness/paraesthesiae and four had subjectively improved sensory function in the hand and fingers since the procedure. Ten patients had problems from the donor site, including a cosmetically unacceptable scar, allodynia, and itching. Four patients had worked before the operation and nine patients returned to ordinary or light work afterwards. In conclusion, 10/14 patients considered themselves as somewhat better, better, or cured, while four felt that they were unchanged or worse. We conclude that cover with vascularised fat may be worthwhile in some patients with recurrent severe carpal tunnel syndrome, preferably with a simple pedicled ulnar flap.