[Is there pisotriquetral instability after carpal tunnel release? Retrospective study of 55 cases]

The aim of this study was to determine if pisotriquetral instability is present after neurolysis of the median nerve in the wrist. Fifty-five patients who underwent carpal tunnel release between December 2005 and March 2009 were included in this retrospective study. The surgical procedure consisted of cutting the transverse carpal ligament under local anesthesia through an anterior approach. Instability was evaluated clinically and radiologically by measuring the pisometacarpal angle. The mean patient age was 61years and the mean follow-up 42months. Only 9% of patients complained of pain on the ulnar side of wrist. The pisometacarpal angle in all the operated wrists was the same as in the non-operated wrists. Our findings suggest there is no pisotriquetral instability after median nerve neurolysis.