OUTCOMES OF OPEN CARPAL TUNNEL RELEASES AND ITS PREDICTORS. A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

A prospective study of 74 patients who underwent open carpal tunnel releases was conducted, with a follow-up period of six months. We analyzed multiple preoperative variables in order to identify factors that might predict outcomes. These outcomes included improvement in symptom severity and functional severity scores, grip strength as well as patient satisfaction. All the patients showed improvement in symptoms with 72% showing complete symptomatic relief, 74% showing improvement in function and 66% showing improvement in grip strength, and 82% were either completely or very satisfied with the results of surgery. Older patients and patients with weakness were associated with poorer outcomes. Higher preoperative symptom severity and functional severity scores were also associated with less improvement in symptoms and function, respectively. This information would benefit the surgeons and patients during preoperative counseling and help facilitate the decision-making process for both parties.