Comparing the Positive Results of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery in Two Groups of Patients with and without Splint

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Student of Medicine, School of Medicine AND Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Resident, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition in which the median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel is compressed. Then, gradual paralysis occurs. This study aimed to compare patient outcomes after surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome in both groups with and without splint..Methods: This study was conducted in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in Kashani hospital during 2011. 64 patients underwent surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome were selected and randomly divided into two groups of 32. For the first group, splints were considered after the surgery and for the second group, as the control group, splint was not given. Patients within 3, 6 and 12 weeks after surgery were followed and healing in the sense of motion and pain based on the visual analogue scale (VAS) measures were examined.Findings: Sensory conflict scores at the 3rd and 6th weeks in the group with splint were higher than the group without it; but, 12 weeks after the treatment, the results were identical. In any cases, motor involvement was not seen. At the 3rd week after the treatment, the mean pain score in the group without splint was higher than with splint group. The results of the 6th week after the treatment in both groups were almost identical; but, at the 12th week after the treatment, changes in pain intensity was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.97).Conclusion: Splinting after the surgical release of the median nerve probably causes a delay in the recovery of sensory, motor and pain; but due to the effect of material of used splint, the result is still uncertain and further broader interventions needs to be done in this regard.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 31, Issue 267 - Serial Number 267
November and December 2014
Pages 2155-2161

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History

  • Receive Date: 15 November 2012
  • Revise Date: 29 April 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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