Clin Orthop Surg.  2014 Sep;6(3):253-257. 10.4055/cios.2014.6.3.253.

Current Approaches for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
  • 2Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Park Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
  • 3Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jeonchoi@gmail.com

Abstract

With advancement in biomechanical and biological research on idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome, the insight on the pathophysiology of carpal tunnel syndrome has gained much clinical relevance. Open carpal tunnel release is still a gold standard procedure for carpal tunnel syndrome, which has evolved into mini-open procedure with development of new devices. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release has become popular in recent practice of hand surgery with an advantage of early recovery of hand function with minimal morbidity. However, endoscopic carpal tunnel release has its own limitation such as long learning curve with obvious surgical risk reported in the literature. In this review article, various treatment protocols for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome are presented with special highlight on endoscopic carpal tunnel release, which is gaining popularity in current practice.

Keyword

Carpal tunnel syndrome; Open; Endoscopic; Release

MeSH Terms

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/surgery/*therapy
Endoscopy
Humans
Treatment Outcome

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Introducing the cannula to the exit portal. HH: hook of hamate, KL: Kaplan line, TCL: transverse carpal ligament.

  • Fig. 2 Undersurface of transverse carpal ligament with washboard appearance.

  • Fig. 3 Triangular blade cutting the middle of the transverse carpal ligament in retrograde fashion.

  • Fig. 4 Transection of the transverse carpal ligament by using a retrograde knife.


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