CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: CURRENT DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT STRATEGIES FROM CLINICAL, SOCIOECONOMIC, AND HEALTHCARE PERSPECTIVES —A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Paweł Budzik; Daniel Chołuj; Aleksandra Arczewska; Karolina Kornatowska; Justyna Jankowska; Jonatan Rataj; Szymon Marciszuk

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.6005

Authors

Paweł Budzik Norbert Barlicki Memorial Teaching Hospital No. 1 of the Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3177-5634
Daniel Chołuj The Independent Public Healthcare Institution of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Łódź, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1445-6336
Aleksandra Arczewska Norbert Barlicki Memorial Teaching Hospital No. 1 of the Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3092-7364
Karolina Kornatowska Dr. Tytus Chałubiński Specialist Hospital, Radom, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4622-8285
Justyna Jankowska Independent Public Healthcare Institution MSWiA in Lodz, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0225-2668
Jonatan Rataj Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4670-0100
Szymon Marciszuk Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9917-0762

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.6005

Keywords:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Median Nerve; Diagnosis; Surgical Decompression; Healthcare Outcomes; Socioeconomic Burden

Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) represents one of the most common peripheral nerve entrapment neuropathies affecting the upper limb, resulting from increased pressure within the carpal tunnel and compression of the median nerve. It is associated with numbness, pain, and hand weakness, leading to functional impairment and reduced quality of life. While conservative treatment is effective in early stages, surgical intervention remains the main option in advanced cases.

Aim: The aim of this narrative review was to summarize current evidence on the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical outcomes of carpal tunnel syndrome, with particular emphasis on the effectiveness of surgical decompression and factors influencing recovery.

Material and methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed and other peer-reviewed sources. Articles published in English between 2010 and 2026 were included, focusing on the surgical management of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Results: Surgical division of the transverse carpal ligament leads to significant symptom improvement in most patients. Both open and endoscopic techniques reduce pain and improve hand function. Endoscopic approaches may allow faster recovery, whereas open procedures remain widely used and reliable. Surgical treatment is associated with sustained symptom relief and favorable long-term outcomes, particularly in moderate to severe cases. Postoperative rehabilitation and early mobilization support recovery.

Conclusions: Surgical decompression is an effective treatment for patients with persistent or severe CTS, providing durable symptom relief and functional improvement. Patient selection, surgical technique, and postoperative rehabilitation are key factors influencing outcomes.

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