Abstract
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most frequent entrapment neuropathy. However, there is no consensus regarding the most appropriate timing for surgery. Here we report the results of electrophysiological examinations conducted before treatment and the changes in symptoms after treatment for CTS. We studied 90 patients (118 hands) with CTS who were diagnosed at our hospital between 2001 and 2010. We divided the patients into two groups : one group with sequelae, and the other without. We calculated the average of CMAP terminal latency for the abductor polis brevis (APB) and the difference of CMAP terminal latency between the 2nd lumbiric and 2nd palmar interosseus. Interestingly, between the patients without sequelae after surgery and with sequelae after conservative treatment, these averages were approximate. If surgery is performed when the terminal latency is under these averages, then an excellent outcome can be expected.
