CARPAL TUNNEL RELEASE IN PATIENTS OVER 70 YEARS

The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of carpal tunnel decompression in elderly patients and whether this can be predicted by the severity of pre-operative nerve conduction studies. A retrospective study was undertaken of all patients over 70 years who had carpal tunnel release (CTR) at Dunedin Hospital between April 1999 and April 2002 with a minimum one year follow up. A grading system for pre-operative nerve conduction studies (NCS) was formulated which scored patients from 1 to 6 according to severity. Patients were followed up by postal questionnaire (Boston Carpal Tunnel Score) with telephone follow up of non-responders. There were 105 CTR procedures performed in 96 patients. Median pre-operative NCS Score was 4 with 47% scoring 5 or 6. 4 Patients had died. Post-operative symptom severity scores were low and the majority of patients were very satisfied with the results of surgery. Despite nerve conduction studies consistent with severe median nerve compression, patients had low postoperative symptom severity scores and overall were very satisfied. Carpal tunnel release in patients over 70 years of age is justified and associated with good outcome.