Introduction: We compared the preoperative quality of life (QOL) of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, lower extremity-, and para-lumbar entrapment syndrome, and the effect of surgery on their QOL.
Patients and methods: We prospectively enrolled 66 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome (group 1, n = 23), lower extremity entrapment syndrome (group 2, n = 22), and para-lumbar entrapment syndrome (group 3, n = 21). Their pre- and postoperative overall health status was assessed on the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 Health Survey, v2 (SF-36).
Results: Except for the mental component summary, the preoperative score for items rated on the SF-36 was significantly lower in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.05). In all 66 patients, the scores for bodily pain (BP) and the physical component summary (PCS) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the national standard, as was the score for physical functioning (PF) in groups 2 and 3. After surgery, PF of group 2 and PF, BP, and PCS of group 3 improved significantly (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The detrimental QOL effects are stronger in patients with para-lumbar- or lower extremity entrapment syndrome than in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Keywords: Entrapment neuropathy; Para-lumbar entrapment syndrome; Peripheral nerve; Quality of life; SF-36s.