Carpal tunnel release in diabetic and non-diabetic patients

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a compression neuropathy that causes paresthesia, pain or numbness in the territory of median nerve. The aim of this study is to compare the open surgery outcome and patients` satisfaction in carpal tunnel syndrome among diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

In a retrospective cohort study from April 2011 to June 2012, patients suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome at least 6 months, without response to conservative treatment, who had the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were evaluated by the usage of MHQ and WHOQOL-BREEF tests, one month before surgery and three months after that. Carpal tunnel decompression surgery was performed by two surgeons, experienced in hand surgery, which used the same surgical method. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 19.0.

24 of patient (34.2%) were male and 46 (65.8%) were female and there was no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). MHQ total score before and after surgery was respectively 50.22±7.13 and 63.49±11.28 and this difference was significant (P<0.05). In WHOQOF-BREEF parameters, physical parameters (36.81±19.8 vs. 55.30±24.36) and psychological parameters (41.64±14.77 vs. 61.24±19.9) improved significantly after surgery.

The outcome of carpal tunnel syndrome open surgery is good in both men and women, but diabetes has a negative impact on surgery outcome in short term.