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

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