Neurophysiological assessment of carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

In recent years decompression of the median nerve has become one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures,even if only 30-40 years ago carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)was hardly recognized by most physicians.The frequent complaint of tingling in the hand and pain in the arm had been variously interpreted over the years [1 ]and various treatments had been proposed according to the underlying theory.The widespread availability of neurophysiological techniques in the 1970s and 1980s allowed the recognition of CTS as the most frequent cause of hand paresthesias and has made this diagnosis quite popular among physicians and patients.Initially,a neurophysiological confirmation of the clinical diagnosis was considered mandatory;today many operations are made without a prior nerve conduction study and many surgeons,neurologists,and general physicians think that nerve conduction studies are an expensive option which could be avoided. © 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.