Surgery Effective in Diabetics with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Newswise — Diabetics with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), an acquired entrapment neuropathy causing pain and weakness of the hands, can benefit from surgery suggests research.

Some in the medical community have questioned whether diabetics who undergo surgery for CTS release actually improve. Surgery is sometimes recommended to remove or "release" compression of the median nerve, the nerve that passes from the forearm to the palm.

Hee-Kyu Kwon, M.D, Ph.D., (Korea University Hospital in Seoul) and her research colleagues conducted a study to compare the outcomes of CTS release surgery in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Two groups who received CTS release—one group with diabetes, the second without—were evaluated using several electrodiagnostic tests. Physicians use electrodiagnostic procedures to diagnose problems created when the electrical signals within nerves and muscles become weakened or stop altogether.

No meaningful difference between the two groups was found. The authors concluded that, based on these results, physicians should consider surgery as a viable treatment for diabetic patients with symptomatic CTS. The results of the study will be present at the 51st Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine in Savannah, Georgia, November 3-6, 2004.

The AAEM is the largest organization worldwide (approximately 5000 members) dedicated to advancing neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and electrodiagnostic medicine. The primary goal of the AAEM is to increase the quality of patient care, specifically for those patients with disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems, neuromuscular junction, and skeletal muscles. This is accomplished through programs in education, research, and quality assurance. The AAEM believes that only physicians trained in electrodiagnostic procedures should perform needle electromyography and interpret nerve conduction studies to assure patients receive the proper diagnosis.