PRESSURE CHANGES IN GUYONS CANAL AFTER CARPAL-TUNNEL RELEASE

We measured pressure changes in Guyon's canal and the carpal tunnel be fore and after endoscopic (11 cases) and open (10) carpal tunnel relea se. We found that release of the flexor retinaculum by endoscopic and open techniques measurably decreased pressure in both the carpal tunne l and Guyon's canal. This study provides an explanation for relief of ulnar tunnel syndrome symptoms following carpal tunnel release and may indicate that carpal tunnel release alone may be sufficient to provid e symptomatic relief for most patients with carpal and ulnar tunnel sy ndromes.