We are looking at whether there is a difference in pain and function in the very early period when comparing carpal tunnel release performed by the endoscopic technique versus the open technique.

The purpose of our study is to examine the very early (<2 weeks post-op) outcomes of endoscopic versus open carpal tunnel releases (CTR). We will call patients on post-operative days 3, 7 and 14 and collect Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), Patient Related Wrist and Hand Evaluation (PRWHE), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain and return to work status at each time frame to see if there is any difference between the two procedures.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients 18 years of age or older
• Diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and indicated to undergo carpal tunnel release with one of the three participating hand surgeons were included in this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients younger than 18 years old
• Pregnant women
• Revision carpal tunnel surgery, or patients who underwent any other type of surgery concomitantly with the carpal tunnel release.

Patients 18 years of age or older, diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and indicated to undergo carpal tunnel release with one of the three participating hand surgeons.

Carpal tunnel syndrome was diagnosed using the physical exam, including two-point discrimination, Phalen's test, Durkan's nerve compression test, and Tinel's sign in all study participants. All patients included in the study demonstrated a CTS-6 score over 12. An electromyography (EMG) of the median nerve was performed when determined to be necessary by either the treating surgeon or referring physician.