Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, including details on symptoms, causes, trauma, diagnosis, physiotherapy.

Clinical course of the non-operated hand in patients with bilateral idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

Afshar A, Yekta Z, Mirzatoluei F

Department of Orthopaedics, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Motahhari Hospital, Kashani Street, Urmia, Iran. afshar@umsu.ac.ir

PURPOSE: Patients with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) who had unilateral carpal tunnel surgery usually ask about the prognosis for the non-operated, opposite hand. In this study, we investigated the effects of unilateral carpal tunnel surgery on the clinical course of the non-operated, opposite hand in bilateral idiopathic CTS. METHODS: In this prospective study, only patients who had bilateral idiopathic CTS but had unilateral carpal tunnel surgery were included. Sixty-six patients were included in the study. All patients were women with the mean age 47 years and mean duration of symptoms 4 years. Forty-six surgeries were performed on right hands, and 20 surgeries performed on left hands. Forty-eight (73%) patients were housewives. Their non-operated, opposite hands were evaluated before and 6 months after unilateral surgery. The evaluations consisted of subjective symptoms and objective findings. Paired t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the means of symptom severity score, functional status score, power and pinch grip strength before and 6 months after unilateral surgery in the non-operated, opposite hands. There was no statistically significant differences among the percentages of the Tinel's sign, Phalen test, and electrophysiological changes before and 6 months after unilateral surgery on the non-operated, opposite hands. During the study period, 57 (86%) patients had surgery or intended to have surgery for their opposite hands. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that unilateral surgery for bilateral idiopathic CTS does not affect the clinical course of the non-operated, opposite hand. We recommend that each hand of patients with bilateral CTS be managed separately, based on their symptoms.

Published 9 October 2007 in J Hand Surg [Am], 32(8): 1166-70.
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