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Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Metacarpal Small Incision for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Published on: April 5, 2024
Endoscopic release for carpal tunnel syndrome accompanied by thenar muscle atrophy
Masahiro Nagaoka1, Sohya Nagao, Hiromi Matsuzaki
1Orthopaedic Department, Surugadai Nihon University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Purpose:
The objective of this study was to ascertain whether endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) is indicated for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome accompanied by thenar muscle atrophy.
Type Of Study:
Prospective cohort study.
Methods:
Two-portal ECTR was performed on 67 hands in 52 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome accompanied by thenar muscle atrophy.
Results:
Preoperative severity of thenar muscle atrophy was severe in 24 hands, moderate in 23 hands, and mild in 20 hands. Postoperative severity of thenar muscle atrophy was severe in 6 hands, moderate in 2 hands, mild in 23 hands, and none in 36 hands.
Conclusions:
Improvements with thenar muscle function in most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome can be expected with 2-portal ECTR.
Level Of Evidence:
Level IV.
