A comparison of outcomes of carpal tunnel release in diabetic and non-diabetic patients

Abstract

The coexistence of diabetes might complicate the diagnosis and operative outcomes of carpal tunnel syndrome. We retrospectively compared the results of carpal tunnel release in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The group included 386 patients, 322 female (83%) and 64 male (17%) with a mean age of 57 years. A total of 41 patients (11%) were diabetic, whereas 345 (89%) did not have diabetes. Patients were followed-up at six months, by assessments that included Levine scores, filament tests, grip and pinch strength. No significant differences in any of the measured variables were found at the six-month assessment. The results of the study show that carpal tunnel release in diabetic and non-diabetic patients are similarly beneficial.