Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026
Metacarpal Small Incision for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Published on: April 5, 2024
The Use of Telemedicine Postoperative Visits Following Carpal Tunnel and Trigger Digit Releases: A Randomized
Brandon E Earp1, Dafang Zhang1, Kyra A Benavent1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Purpose:
Virtual visits have become increasingly popular in North American health care. This study assessed differences in patient-reported outcome measures, satisfaction, travel costs, and complication rates between patients who had either virtual video-based or in-person 2-week postoperative visits after undergoing carpal tunnel release (CTR) or trigger digit release (TDR).
Methods:
We performed a prospective, randomized trial of patients who underwent isolated TDR or CTR. Subjects were randomized to receive their 2-week postoperative visit via a virtual video-based platform or an in-person visit. All patients received the same immediate postoperative care instructions. Our primary outcome variable was Press Ganey Outpatient Medical Practice Survey (PG) score at 2 weeks after surgery. Secondary outcomes included PG score at 3 months after surgery, and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) at 2 weeks and 3 months after surgery. Demographics, complications, and patient expenses were collected.
Results:
Sixty subjects were randomized with 30 in each group. The average age was 59 years, 40 subjects were women, and 35 subjects underwent CTR. The median 2-week PG in the in-person group was 4.7 and 4.1 in the virtual visit group. This was a statistically significant difference; however, there was no difference at the 3-month visit. Male sex and older age were significantly associated with lower PG scores at 3 months after surgery. There was no difference in QuickDASH at either time point. The virtual visit follow-up group had significantly fewer hours off work, lower transportation costs, and less travel distance.
Conclusions:
Although overall patient satisfaction is high following CTR and TDR, a lower self-reported patient satisfaction was seen in the virtual visit group as compared with the in-person group at 2 weeks, which equalized by 3 months.
Clinical Relevance:
Individualized discussions with patients about postoperative visit options that factor in cost and travel may optimize the patient experience.
