PURPOSE: In 2005, a prospective clinical trial with a 6-month follow-up demonstrated the efficacy of carpal tunnel release in patients 65 years and older and showed that age is not a contraindication to surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was any further improvement, maintenance of results, or recurrence of carpal tunnel symptoms 5 years after surgery. METHODS: We contacted all 66 patients (with a total of 92 hands involved) from the original study to be enrolled for re-evaluation. Of the original cohort, 12 were unavailable because of death or severe neurologic impairment. Of the remaining 54 patients, 19 agreed to participate in this follow-up study of their 29 hands. For the 5-year follow-up, patients underwent a repeat history and physical examination with particular emphasis on the status of their hands over the past 5 years. The Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire was again used to determine overall hand function, activities of daily living, work performance, pain, aesthetics, and satisfaction with hand function. RESULTS: The mean age of patients available for 5-year follow-up was 78 +/- 3 years. The patients maintained their symptom improvement, demonstrating no significant difference between the 6-month and 5-year follow-up data; their physical findings, except for grip strength, were likewise unchanged. The patients also retained their improved 2-point discrimination. Scar tenderness decreased over the 5 years. The Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire confirmed the fact that initial postoperative improvement in all parameters persisted at least 5 years. One patient underwent repeat carpal tunnel release of 1 hand for recurrent symptoms. Overall, 94% of patients were either very or completely satisfied with their results. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who were 65 years of age or older at the time of surgery maintained their clinical improvement for at least 5 years after surgery. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV. Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.
PURPOSE: In 2005, a prospective clinical trial with a 6-month follow-up demonstrated the efficacy of carpal tunnel release in patients 65 years and older and showed that age is not a contraindication to surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was any further improvement, maintenance of results, or recurrence of carpal tunnel symptoms 5 years after surgery. METHODS: We contacted all 66 patients (with a total of 92 hands involved) from the original study to be enrolled for re-evaluation. Of the original cohort, 12 were unavailable because of death or severe neurologic impairment. Of the remaining 54 patients, 19 agreed to participate in this follow-up study of their 29 hands. For the 5-year follow-up, patients underwent a repeat history and physical examination with particular emphasis on the status of their hands over the past 5 years. The Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire was again used to determine overall hand function, activities of daily living, work performance, pain, aesthetics, and satisfaction with hand function. RESULTS: The mean age of patients available for 5-year follow-up was 78 +/- 3 years. The patients maintained their symptom improvement, demonstrating no significant difference between the 6-month and 5-year follow-up data; their physical findings, except for grip strength, were likewise unchanged. The patients also retained their improved 2-point discrimination. Scar tenderness decreased over the 5 years. The Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire confirmed the fact that initial postoperative improvement in all parameters persisted at least 5 years. One patient underwent repeat carpal tunnel release of 1 hand for recurrent symptoms. Overall, 94% of patients were either very or completely satisfied with their results. CONCLUSIONS:Patients who were 65 years of age or older at the time of surgery maintained their clinical improvement for at least 5 years after surgery. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV. Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.