Clinical Results of Carpal Tunnel Release Using Ultrasound Guidance in Over 100 Patients at Two to Six Years.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical results of carpal tunnel release using ultrasound guidance (CTR-US) at a minimum of 2 years postprocedure. Methods: The study consisted of 102 patients (162 hands) treated with CTR-US by the same physician between June 2017 and October 2020 for whom minimum 2-year follow-up data were available. Questionnaires were sent to gather long-term information, with additional phone calls for clarification if needed. Outcomes included Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire symptom severity (BCTQ-SSS) and functional status (BCTQ-FSS) scores; Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) scores; global satisfaction scores; and subsequent surgeries. Results: The 102 patients included 68 females and 34 males with a mean age of 56.9 years at the time of surgery. Fifty-five (53.9%) patients had simultaneous bilateral procedures, 42 (41.2%) had unilateral procedures, and 5 (4.9%) had staged bilateral procedures. Significant improvements in BCTQ-SSS, BCTQ-FSS, and QuickDASH scores persisted at a mean final follow-up of 46 months (range 2-6 years). At final follow-up, 91.2% of patients reported satisfaction with the procedure. No outcomes were significantly different between those treated with simultaneous bilateral versus unilateral procedures. No revision surgeries were reported. Conclusions: CTR-US is a safe and effective procedure that results in significant improvements that persist up to 6 years postprocedure. Long-term results of simultaneous bilateral and unilateral procedures are similar. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic IV.

A Role for Thyroid Testing in Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis? 32% Rate of Abnormal Values in Tested Patients.

BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism is a known risk factor for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), and prior studies of hypothyroid-associated SCFE have demonstrated an incidence of up to 6%. However, there is limited evidence and no formal practice guidelines regarding whether patients presenting with SCFE should undergo screening for endocrine disorders. This study aims to investigate the incidence of abnormal thyroid function studies in patients presenting with SCFE. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all patients aged 0 to 18 years treated for SCFE at a single pediatric hospital from January 2015 to July 2022. On presentation, patients' BMI, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free T4, vitamin D, creatinine, BUN, and HbA1c levels were documented. Follow-up and treatment for any identified endocrinopathies were noted. In addition, the chronicity, stability, and severity of their slips were recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients with 106 hips were included in this study. TSH was obtained at the time of initial presentation in 66% (n=65/98) of patients. Median TSH was 2.99 (range: 0.02 to 919, std dev: 132.4). The normal reference range for our institution is 0.5 to 4.5 mcIU/mL. Thirty-two percent (n=21/65) of patients with a documented TSH had an abnormal value. Of those patients who had an elevated TSH, 3 were diagnosed with clinical hypothyroidism and went on to treatment with levothyroxine (n=3/19, 16%), 2 patients had been started on levothyroxine before presentation (n=2/19, 11%), and 2 patients were followed in endocrinology clinic until their TSH levels had normalized without further intervention (n=2/19, 11%). CONCLUSIONS: Screening of our SCFE population revealed a 32% incidence of thyroid abnormalities which affected treatment in 24% of those patients. This is a much higher incidence of hypothyroid-associated SCFE than previously demonstrated in the literature and has prompted us to start including thyroid screening studies as a routine part of our workup for all patients with SCFE. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Long-term Clinical Results of Carpal Tunnel Release Using Ultrasound Guidance.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of carpal tunnel release (CTR) using ultrasound guidance in a group of patients treated by a single physician. METHODS: The study group consisted of 76 consecutive CTRs performed on 47 patients between June 2017 and April 2019 for whom 1-year follow-up was available. All procedures were performed by the same operator using a single CTR technique. Outcomes included complications; Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire symptom severity (BCTQ-SSS) and functional status (BCTQ-FSS) scores; Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QDASH) scores; and a 5-point global satisfaction score (4 = satisfied, 5 = very satisfied). RESULTS: The 47 patients included 27 females and 20 males (ages 31-91 years). Twenty-five patients (50 hands) had simultaneous bilateral CTRs, 4 patients (8 hands) had staged bilateral CTRs, and 18 patients had unilateral CTRs. No complications occurred. Statistically and clinically significant reductions in BCTQ-SSS, BCTQ-FSS, and QDASH scores occurred by 1 to 2 weeks post-CTR and persisted at 1-year (mean 1-year changes vs. pre-CTR -2.11, -1.70, and -44.99, respectively; P < .001 for all). The mean global satisfaction score at 1-year was 4.63. CONCLUSIONS: CTR using ultrasound (US) guidance is a safe and effective procedure that produces statistically and clinically significant improvements within 1 to 2 weeks postprocedure that persist to 1 year. Furthermore, simultaneous bilateral CTRs using US guidance are feasible and may be advantageous for patients who are candidates for bilateral CTR.

Clinical Results of Ultrasound-Guided Carpal Tunnel Release Performed by a Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release (USCTR) in a consecutive group of patients treated by a single primary care sports medicine physician. METHODS: The study group consisted of 35 USCTRs performed on 22 consecutive patients for whom clinical outcomes were available before USCTR and at 1 to 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after USCTR. All procedures were performed by the same operator using a single USCTR technique. Outcomes included complications, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire symptom severity and functional status scores, and a 5-point global satisfaction score. RESULTS: The 22 patients included 13 female and 9 male patients (ages 31-82 years). Eleven patients (22 wrists) had bilateral simultaneous USCTRs; 2 patients (4 wrists) had staged bilateral USCTRs; and 9 patients had unilateral USCTRs. No complications occurred in any patient. Statistically and clinically significant reductions in Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire symptom severity and functional status scores occurred by 1 to 2 weeks after USCTR (mean 1- to 2-week changes, -29.23, -1.74, and -1.18, respectively), and further improvements occurred during the 3-month follow-up period (mean 3-month changes, -51.11, -2.29, and -1.91; P < .0001 for all values versus before USCTR). Mean global satisfaction scores at 1 to 2 weeks and 3 months were 4.63 and 4.66. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided CTR is a safe and effective procedure that can be performed by an experienced primary care sports medicine physician and typically results in significant improvements within the first 2 weeks after the procedure. Furthermore, bilateral simultaneous USCTRs are feasible and may provide significant advantages for patients who are candidates for bilateral CTRs.