SENSORY FUNCTION AFTER MEDIAN NERVE DECOMPRESSION IN CARPAL-TUNNEL SYNDROME - PREOPERATIVE VS POSTOPERATIVE FINDINGS

The sensory recovery was monitored for up to 1 year after decompressio n of the median nerve in 69 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Spec ial attention was paid to the race of recovery, the importance of cons tant or intermittent numbness or paraesthesiae preoperatively and the influence of gender. Most patients with numbness/paraesthesiae and tho se with abnormal two-point discrimination recovered within 10 days, Pe rception of touch and vibration recovered within 3 weeks in most patie nts but those with abnormal nerve conduction/sensory amplitude recover ed slowly during follow-up. After 1 year patients with intermittent pr eoperative symptoms were significantly more likely to achieve normal n erve conduction and perception of touch. Women were more likely to ach ieve normal nerve conduction and perception of touch, A comparison of recovery between thatched men and women with identical preoperative st atus showed no significant difference. The results indicate the import ance of early treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.