SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF CARPAL-TUNNEL SYNDROME IN PATIENTS EXPOSED TO VIBRATION FROM HAND-HELD-TOOLS

During 1985 at Sabbatsberg Hospital in Stockholm, carpal tunnel decomp ression was done for 50 men (58 hands) with carpal tunnel syndrome (CT S). In 1988 2.5 to 3 years after the operations, a questionnaire about their present health was answered by 43 men (50 hands). In 10/17 (59% ) hands exposed to vibrations and 26/33 (79%) not exposed, carpal tunn el decompression had resulted in no recurrence of neurological symptom s at follow up. Preoperative signs of neurophysiological dysfunction o f the ulnar nerve, which might indicate a more widespread neuropathy, did not correlate with poor postoperative function of the median nerve . We recommend that patients with carpal tunnel syndrome should be ope rated on, whether or not they have been exposed to vibration.