Changes in the Hand Strength and Related Factors after Carpal Tunnel Decompression.
10.4055/jkoa.2011.46.2.99
- Author:
Youn Moo HEO
1
;
Jae Young ROH
;
Sang Bum KIM
;
Jin Woong YI
;
Kwang Kyoun KIM
;
Jung Bum LEE
;
Dong Sik CHAE
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea. ajouos@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
median nerve;
carpal tunnel syndrome;
carpal tunnel decompression;
hand strength;
grip strength;
pinch strength
- MeSH:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome;
Decompression;
Hand;
Hand Strength;
Humans;
Median Nerve;
Pinch Strength
- From:The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
2011;46(2):99-106
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Our goal was to investigate an improvement in hand strength and its associated factors after carpal tunnel decompression in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and January 2009, a total of 31 patients (50 hands) treated with carpal tunnel decompression for carpal tunnel syndrome were enrolled into the study. Hand-strength was assessed pre- and post-surgery. In the pre-operation evaluation, we assessed multiple factors and investigated the association between these factors and recovery of hand strength. RESULTS: All patients regained hand strength after surgery. On average, the grip strength was 14.8 kg preoperatively, 13.0 kg at 6 weeks, 16.2 kg at 3 months, 18.7 kg at 6 months, and 20.6 kg at 1year postoperatively. The tip-pinch strength was 3.4 kg preoperatively and improved to 3.9 kg at 6 weeks, 4.0 kg at 3 months, 4.4 kg at 6 months and 4.7 kg at 1 year postoperatively. The key-pinch strength showed same pattern of improvement. The recovery of grip strength was significantly slower in patients with longer duration of carpal tunnel syndrome, with diabetes, or with nocturnal pain. There was no factor affecting the recovery of tip-pinch strength. Recovery of key-pinch strength was slower in patients that had experienced a longer duration of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Grip strength and pinch strength were recovered within 3 months and 6 weeks, respectively, after carpal tunnel decompression; both improved gradually until 12 months after surgery. Disease duration, diabetes, and nocturnal pain were significant factors that impacted on post-surgery recovery.
