Postoperative management of carpal tunnel syndrome: functional outcomes of a prospective study

Summary The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed protocol for patients who have undergone surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. The study also presents functional outcomes obtained over a 12-month postoperative period. The study included 30 patients (26 women and 4 men), with a mean age of 57.6 years, who underwent minimally invasive surgery (1.5-2 cm) performed by the same surgeon specializing in hand surgery. The functional recovery protocol consisted of a single physical therapy session conducted within the first 14 days postoperatively, focused on patient education and tendon gliding techniques. At 12 months postoperatively, a significant improvement in pain symptoms (mean VAS 1.75/10) and a recovery of muscle strength to a mean of 26.18 kgf were observed, with no complications or recurrences reported in the study group. The protocol based on a single physical therapy session proved effective in achieving optimal functional outcomes, providing patients with autonomy and rapid reintegration, and serving as a sustainable alternative to extended rehabilitation protocols