Carpal tunnel syndrome and treatment of recurrent symptoms

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compression lesion of peripheral nerves with a prevalence of 4%. It is often treated by release of the flexor retinaculum, which may completely relieve the symptoms. Although such treatment is considered successful, there are probably many patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms. Recurrence implies that the patient's symptoms were initially relieved but recurred some time after the operation; this is a controversial field in which clear definitions, aetiology, diagnosis, and treatment seem uncertain. We describe recurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome and summarise possibilities for diagnosis and treatment of the condition.