Surgical vs Nonsurgical Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Thomas M. Neubauer, MD

Jason B. Alisangco, DO

American Family Physician. 2025;112(1):20-21.

Author disclosure: No relevant financial relationships.

THOMAS M. NEUBAUER, MD, CAQSM, FAAFP, Battalion Surgeon, Fort Carson, Colorado

JASON B. ALISANGCO, DO, CAQSM, FAAFP, Deputy Commander and Division Surgeon, Moncrief Army Health Center, Fort Jackson, South Carolina

Address correspondence to Thomas M. Neubauer, MD, at Thomas.m.neubauer.mil@army.mil

Author disclosure: No relevant financial relationships.

1.Atroshi I, Gummesson C, Johnsson R, et al. Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in a general population. JAMA. 1999;282(2):153-158.
2.Jackson R, Beckman J, Frederick M, et al. Rates of carpal tunnel syndrome in a state workers' compensation information system, by industry and occupation—California, 2007–2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67(39):1094-1097.
3.Padua L, Coraci D, Erra C, et al. Carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical features, diagnosis, and management. Lancet Neurol. 2016;15(12):1273-1284.
4.Wipperman J, Penny ML. Carpal tunnel syndrome: rapid evidence review. Am Fam Physician. 2024;110(1):52-57.
5.Carpal tunnel syndrome: a summary of clinical practice guideline recommendations—using the evidence to guide physical therapist practice. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2019;49(5):359-360.
6.Lusa V, Karjalainen TV, Pääkkönen M, et al. Surgical versus non-surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024(1):CD001552.

This series is coordinated by Christopher W. Bunt, MD, AFP assistant medical editor, and the NNT Group.

A collection of Medicine by the Numbers published in AFP is available at https:// www.aafp.org/afp/mbtn.

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