A1 Journal article (refereed)
Use of conservative therapy before and after surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome (2021)
Multanen, J., Uimonen, M. M., Repo, J. P., Häkkinen, A., & Ylinen, J. (2021). Use of conservative therapy before and after surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 22, Article 484. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04378-3
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Multanen, Juhani; Uimonen, Mikko M.; Repo, Jussi P.; Häkkinen, Arja; Ylinen, Jari
Journal or series: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
eISSN: 1471-2474
Publication year: 2021
Publication date: 26/05/2021
Volume: 22
Article number: 484
Publisher: Biomed Central
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04378-3
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/76014
Abstract
Conservative therapies are typically offered to individuals who experience mild or intermittent symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or postoperatively to subjects who have undergone carpal tunnel release. Although long-term studies report mostly positive results for carpal tunnel release, knowledge on the need for conservative treatments following surgery is scarce. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to examine the use of conservative therapies before and after carpal tunnel releasing surgery.
Methods
Of 528 patients who underwent carpal tunnel release surgery in the study hospital during the study period, 259 provided sufficiently completed questionnaires (response rate 49 %). The patients completed a questionnaire battery including a sociodemographic, medical history and symptom questionnaire, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, 6-item CTS symptoms scale and EuroQoL 5D. Frequencies of conservative therapies pre- and postoperatively were calculated. Association between Pain VAS and satisfaction with treatment were examined in patient groups according to the use of conservative therapies.
Results
Of all patients, 41 (16 %) reported receiving only preoperative, 18 (7 %) reported receiving only postoperative, 157 (60 %) reported receiving both pre- and postoperative conservative therapies and 43 (17 %) did not receive any therapies. Preoperative use of conservative therapies was more common in females than males (82 % vs. 64 %; p = 0.002), but postoperatively no significant gender difference was observed. The patients who received conservative therapies were younger than non-users in both the preoperative (median age 59 vs. 66; p < 0.001) and postoperative (59 vs. 66; p = 0.04) phases. The patients reported high satisfaction with their treatment and simultaneous improvement in Pain VAS scores. Those receiving conservative therapies only preoperatively reported the highest satisfaction.
Conclusions
While the use of conservative therapies decreased after surgery, a large proportion of the patients received these adjunct interventions. Patients reported high satisfaction with their treatment one year post surgery. Pain outcome seems to be closely related to satisfaction with treatment.
Keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome; rehabilitation; medical rehabilitation; conservative treatment; surgical treatment
Free keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome; conservative therapy; rehabilitation; carpal tunnel release
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2021
JUFO rating: 1
