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Bilateral carpal tunnel release results in more early functional impairment
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Compared with patients with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome who underwent unilateral carpal tunnel release, patients who underwent bilateral carpal tunnel release experienced more severe functional impairment during the first few postoperative days, according to study results.
In a prospective cohort study, researchers enrolled 88 patients with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome who underwent either bilateral carpal tunnel release or unilateral carpal tunnel release. Using an abbreviated form of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH) and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire at baseline, the researchers measured patient function and disease severity at the first postoperative visit at a mean time of 10 days, and at the second postoperative visit at a mean time of 30 days.
For the first postoperative week, patients rated their difficulty in completing 15 activities of daily living and reported the factors that influenced their choice of surgery.
No differences in function or disease severity existed between the two groups at baseline, according to the researchers. After carpal tunnel release, symptoms improved with no difference between groups at either the first or second postoperative visit for either questionnaire.
According to study results, patients who underwent bilateral carpal tunnel release experienced more difficulty in opening jars, cooking and doing household chores only on postoperative days 1 and 2. However, for the first 7 days following surgery, neither of the groups differed in their abilities to perform activities of daily living necessary for personal hygiene or independence, including using the bathroom, bathing, dressing or eating.
Forty-two percent of patients reported undergoing bilateral carpal tunnel release to avoid two surgical procedures, whereas 36% of patients reported undergoing unilateral carpal tunnel release due to a concern for self-care.
Disclosure: See the study for a full list of all authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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