Value of electrodiagnostic tests in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Eighty-five patients who were treated surgically for carpal tunnel syndrome were reviewed by a prospective study to assess the relationship between electrodiagnostic tests and clinical outcome. Before surgery all patients completed a self-administered questionnaire, and an electrophysiological examination was done to assess distal motor latency, sensory and motor amplitudes, and sensory nerve conduction velocity. After 6 months follow-up all these tests were repeated. There was significant correlation between improvement in sensory nerve conduction velocity and clinical improvement at follow-up.