Overview

This research study is for patients who have carpal tunnel release surgery scheduled. Development is to determine if postoperative splinting is effective in improving outcomes after short-incision carpal tunnel release. The investigators will randomize patients by splinting after surgery (Group 1) or without splinting after surgery (Group 2). The same outcome measurements will be applied to both groups.

Study Information

This study is an observational cohort model with a time perspective that is prospective for 6 months. Patients will attend 5 office visits lasting around 30 minutes each. There is an estimated enrollment of 40 participants.

Inclusion Criteria

• Ages 18 and older
• Must be diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and are going to receive nerve decompression with short incision
• Exhibit the criteria of CTS including:
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Pain
  • Night symptoms in median nerve distribution
• Show positive tinel signs over the median nerve at the carpal tunnel
• Show negative tinel signs at the supraclavicular and infraclavicular area
• Indicate positive carpal tunnel tests
• Must have electrophysiological changes (confirmed with NCT)

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients with:
  • Peripheral neuropathy of the median nerve secondary to trauma
  • External compressions (tumours, bone malunion) or other non-compressive causes
  • The presence of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (Tinel must be negative at the Supraclavicular and Infraclavicular areas)
  • The presence of Cervical Disc disease
• Patients with another site of compression (such as pronator teres compression)
• Patients who have had previous carpal tunnel release on the same hand
• Those under the age of 18

Location

The trial will be conducted at 2 locations: the Christine M. Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, 40202 and at Kleinert, Kutz & Associates in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, 40202.

Sponsors/Collaborators

This study will be sponsored by the Christine M. Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microsurgery, with Principal Investigator, Huey Tien, MD, and Study Chair, Millicent L. Horn, BS.