D. Burke, E. Shaw-Wiglis, N. Dubin, M. Bradley and S. Sinha
There is conflicting evidence as to whether there is a link between symptom severity and duration and outcome in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The aim of theis study was to investigate whether there is a relationship. At 2 centres (One in USA one in UK) 523 hands had a follow-up evaluation after surgery. They documented symptoms, time of onset, duration, prior tratment and medical history. Each subject had a physical examination and comleted the Levine-Katz questionnaire. The results showed that symptom duration was not associated with post-surgery outcome. The authors concluded that preoperative symptom duration does not affect the outcome of surgery for patients with CTS.
The Journal of Hand Surgery (2006), 31(9), 1478-82