1. Carpal tunnel release with a limited palmar incision: clinical results and pillar pain at 18 months follow-up
- Author
-
Patrick Shu-Hang Yung, Leung-Kim Hung, Pak-Cheung Ho, and Christopher W.C. Tong
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Hand functions ,Hypesthesia ,Hand strength ,medicine ,Carpal tunnel release ,Humans ,Orthopedic Procedures ,Prospective Studies ,Prospective cohort study ,Aged ,Pain Measurement ,Hand Strength ,business.industry ,Follow up studies ,Pillar ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,Surgical Instruments ,Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ,Surgery ,Palmar incision ,Treatment Outcome ,Anesthesia ,Functional activity ,Female ,business ,Follow-Up Studies - Abstract
Limited open carpal tunnel release was performed in 58 hands (44 patients) using a single 1.5 cm palmar incision according to the technique described by Lee and Strickland.1The patients were assessed at regular intervals after surgery for hand functions and subjective symptoms, in particular pillar pain. There was rapid wound recovery with minimal post-operative pain and scarring, and return to functional activities within four weeks. At an average follow-up of 18 months (range 14–24 months), 91% of patients had complete or significant resolution of hand paraesthesia. No patient required further surgery. However, pillar pain was found in 48% of hands at four weeks, 21% at 12 weeks, 12% at six months, 9% at 12 months and 7% at the last follow-up. The significance of the incidence of pillar pain is discussed.
- Published
- 2004