Carpal tunnel syndrome despite negative neurophysiological studies

The purpose of the present study was to compare the results of conservative and operative treatment for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome having normal neurophysiological studies. We studied 125 patients with normal neurophysiological studies and analysed eight symptoms and signs as "prognostic factors". Ninety-six patients were treated conservatively (splintage, steroid injection, antiinflammatory medications, activity modification) and 29 were treated surgically (open decompression). One year after initiation of treatment we assessed the outcome and statistically analysed (chi-square test) the differences between the two groups. We did not find any statistically significant correlation between "prognostic factors" and outcome. Twenty four percent of the group treated non-operatively had a good or excellent outcome, whereas 90% of the group treated operatively had a good or excellent outcome. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Our study supports the view that the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is clinical and not neurophysiological. We now recommend operative treatment for these patients.