The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome the relationship between pre-operative symptoms, electrophysiological testing and outcome after surgery.

62 patients who had undergone carpal tunnel surgery were assessed in clinic, their case notes were reviewed and the electrophysiological results were analysed and graded according to severity.

The median duration of symptoms was 2 years. No relationship was found between the duration of pre-operative symptoms and the severity of electrophysio-logical impairment.

Furthermore, no relationship could be identified between electrophysiological impairment and either successful outcome after surgery (defined as complete symptom resolution) or time to resolution of symptoms after surgery