Electrophysiological Changes in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome after Open Carpal Tunnel Release

Abstract

Objective: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral neuropathy affecting the upper limbs. Various treatment methods exist for this disease, but only a few reports have compared the effects of various treatments using objective indicators. This study analyzed the changes in electrophysiological parameters after carpal tunnel release.Methods: In patients planning to undergo surgical treatment for CTS, electrophysiological studies, including nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG), of both upper extremities were performed before and 6 to 8 weeks after mini-open transverse carpal ligament release and median nerve neurolysis.Results: After surgical intervention, the onset latency and amplitude of the sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) and the onset latency of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the median nerve improved. Additionally, the grade of abnormal spontaneous activity in needle EMG of the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and the severity of the electrodiagnostic study results significantly decreased after the intervention compared to the initial evaluation.Conclusion: This study shows that the onset latency of SNAP and CMAP, the amplitude of SNAP of the median nerve, and EMG findings in the APB can be useful electrodiagnostic parameters for postoperative monitoring in CTS patients.