Change in strength and dexterity after open carpal tunnel release

Few studies have documented the long-term recovery of hand function after o pen carpal tunnel release surgery. Grip strength and manual dexterity were measured before and every five weeks up to 25 weeks after open carpal tunne l release in a sample of 11 affected wrists, Dexterity scores prior to surg ery were substantially (nearly 3sd) below normative levels. There was a sig nificant (t(10=) 5.45, P <0.001) 37% decrease in grip strength immediately following surgery. Trend analysis of the data indicated a significant secon d order pattern for the decrease and recovery of grip strength, and a signi ficant linear pattern of recovery of dexterity following surgery, The stren gth and dexterity tests were effective in documenting changes in function i n recovery from open carpal tunnel release surgery, but grip strength and d exterity in these subjects only recovered to pre-operative levels at 25 wee ks.