BMJ  2006;332 (24 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7556.0

Treating carpal tunnel syndrome endoscopically may not be cost effective

In the treatment of employed patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, endoscopic surgery is associated with modestly less pain than open surgery up to three months after operation, but it does not get patients back to work any faster. Atroshi and colleagues (p 1473) randomised 128 employed patients aged 25-60 years with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome to either endoscopic or open carpal tunnel release surgery. Both methods were equally effective in relieving symptoms. The small benefit makes the cost effectiveness of endoscopic surgery uncertain, say the authors.

Credit: PHOTOS.COM

 

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