What is the success of carpal tunnel decompression by surgery?
The US guideline, referred to above [1], notes carpal tunnel release surgery may be open or endoscopic. • “Expected outcome: • Mild/moderate cases: over 90% success with complete recovery after failure of Initial Conservative Treatment (Outcomes in workers’ comp cases may not be as good as outcomes overall, but still support surgery.) • Severe cases: Complete recovery is unlikely, but 90% will benefit from at least partial recovery.” [1] The same figure for treatment success is quoted in two e-Medicine articles: “Lasting relief of pain, numbness, and paresthesias can be expected in more than 90% of patients treated with open or endoscopic carpal tunnel release, and patient satisfaction is high. The endoscopic technique is associated with a shorter interval to return to work and less incisional pain. The primary reason for a poor result is an error in diagnosis.” [5] “Patients whose condition does not improve following conservative treatment and patients who initially are in the severe
