Abstract
Purpose
Basal thumb joint osteoarthritis frequently coexists with carpal tunnel syndrome. The two conditions have traditionally been treated surgically through separate incisions. We sought to determine whether carpal tunnel release using a single incision during basal joint arthroplasty is as effective as a two-incision approach in patients with concomitant carpal tunnel syndrome and basal thumb joint osteoarthritis.
Methods
For this purpose, 40 patients were randomly allocated to either a single-incision or double-incision approach, all of whom completed the full follow-up period. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, QuickDASH, and a 10-point visual analog scale pain-severity rating were obtained from patients 3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively.
Results
The two treatment groups experienced comparable, progressive improvement in all symptom-, function-, and pain-related outcomes, with mean surgery time significantly shorter with the single-incision approach, and four versus zero patients in the double-incision group developing pillar pain (p = 0.035).
Conclusions
Concomitant basal thumb joint osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome might be effectively performed through a single-incision approach, potentially avoiding any morbidity classically associated with a second incision.
Level of evidence
Level II/Therapeutic Study.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04391751, 04/29/2020, retrospectively registered.
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The authors did not receive support from any organization for the submitted work. No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript. No funding was received for conducting this study. No funds, grants, or other support was received.
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IE-F and IG-C researched literature and conceived the study. ALL-B was involved in protocol development and NV in gaining ethical approval. SB-O and XM were involved in patient recruitment and data analysis. IE-F and IG-C wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors reviewed and edited the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript.
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Esteban-Feliu, I., Gallardo-Calero, I., Barrera-Ochoa, S. et al. Basal joint arthroplasty and carpal tunnel release comparing a single versus double incision: a prospective randomized study. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 32, 1391–1397 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-021-03086-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-021-03086-x