J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2011 Apr;46(2):99-106.

Changes in the Hand Strength and Related Factors after Carpal Tunnel Decompression

• Heo YM
• Roh JY
• Kim SB
• Yi JW
• Kim KK
• Lee JB
• Chae DS

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.

Keyword

median nerve; carpal tunnel syndrome; carpal tunnel decompression; hand strength; grip strength; pinch strength

MeSH Terms

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Decompression
Hand
Hand Strength
Humans
Median Nerve
Pinch Strength

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