This 2007 JAAOS review covers carpal tunnel syndrome from anatomy and pathophysiology through diagnosis and treatment. It synthesizes evidence on clinical testing, electrodiagnostics, nonsurgical options (splinting, injections, oral medications), and surgical techniques (open, endoscopic, limited-open release), asking which approaches best relieve symptoms and when each is indicated.
When evaluating a patient for CTS, use Durkan's compression test as your highest-yield provocative maneuver and reserve imaging for atypical cases — the diagnosis is clinical, confirmed by electrodiagnostics.
When counseling on surgery, tell patients that open and endoscopic techniques produce equivalent long-term results, but endoscopic gets them back to work 2–3 weeks sooner at the cost of a steeper learning curve and slightly higher revision risk.
This 2007 JAAOS review covers carpal tunnel syndrome from anatomy and pathophysiology through diagnosis and treatment. It synthesizes evidence on clinical testing, electrodiagnostics, nonsurgical options (splinting, injections, oral medications), and surgical techniques (open, endoscopic, limited-open release), asking which approaches best relieve symptoms and when each is indicated.
When evaluating a patient for CTS, use Durkan's compression test as your highest-yield provocative maneuver and reserve imaging for atypical cases — the diagnosis is clinical, confirmed by electrodiagnostics.
When counseling on surgery, tell patients that open and endoscopic techniques produce equivalent long-term results, but endoscopic gets them back to work 2–3 weeks sooner at the cost of a steeper learning curve and slightly higher revision risk.