Carpal tunnel syndrome: The correlation between outcome, symptoms and nerve conduction study findings

A retrospective study was performed on 62 patients who had undergone carpal tunnel decompression surgery. Each patient was assessed in clinic, their c ase notes were reviewed and their electrophysiological results were analyse d and graded according to severity. The median preoperative duration of sym ptoms was 2 years. No relationship was found between the nature or duration of pre-operative symptoms and the severity of the electrophysiological. im pairment. Furthermore, no relationship could be identified between pre-oper ative nerve conduction impairment and either successful outcome of surgery (defined as complete symptom relief) or time to resolution of symptoms afte r surgery.