Clinical Course of the Non-Operated Hand in Patients With Bilateral Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Afshar, A and Yekta, Z and Mirzatoloei, F (2007) Clinical Course of the Non-Operated Hand in Patients With Bilateral Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Journal of Hand Surgery, 32 (8). pp. 1166-1170.

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Abstract

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

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