The outcome of carpal tunnel decompression in elderly patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the outcomes of carpal tunnel decompression in elderly patients and whether outcomes can be predicted by the severity of presurgical nerve conduction study results.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of all patients over 70 years of age who had elective carpal tunnel release at Dunedin Hospital between April 1999 and April 2002 with a minimum of 1-year follow-up evaluation. A grading system for presurgical nerve conduction studies was formulated that scored patients from 1 to 6 according to severity. Patients were evaluated by a mailed questionnaire (Symptom Severity Score) with follow-up telephone calls to nonresponders.

RESULTS

Eighty-three carpal tunnel release procedures performed in 70 patients were included in the study. Eighty percent had marked to severe neurophysiologic changes (grades 4-6). The median postsurgical Symptom Severity Score was 1.3 (inter-quartile range, 1.1-1.7). Patients expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the surgery in 78 of 83 cases (94%). There was a significant relationship between presurgical nerve conduction grade and postsurgical Symptom Severity Score.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that elderly patients have low postsurgical symptom scores and express high levels of satisfaction after surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. There was a significant relationship between severity of neurophysiologic abnormalities and a higher Symptom Severity Score after surgery. Severe abnormality, however, should not exclude elderly patients from surgery.