Fact · Accessibility and health
6days
In three trials with 294 participants, endoscopic carpal tunnel release led to earlier return to work or daily activities than open release, by a weighted mean difference of 6 days.
Checked against its source on October 16, 2026
In the source's own words
“endoscopic carpal tunnel release resulted in earlier return to work or activities of daily living than open carpal tunnel release, with a weighted mean difference of -6 days (95% CI -9 to -3 days)”
Surgical treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome (Cochrane review), Scholten RJ, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2007, Main results.
Open the original- What it measures
- The review compared surgical techniques and measured how soon people went back to work or to daily activities. The difference is a weighted average across three trials, and the review gives the figure as negative 6 days because endoscopic release came first.
- What it does not show
- Three trials and 294 participants. The review found no strong evidence that endoscopic release relieves symptoms better than open release, so the gain is in speed of return rather than in the final result.