Original article

Effectiveness of ActiPatch in the management and prevention of pillar pain following open carpal tunnel release surgery in weight-bearing hand of elderly patients: an observational study

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Abstract

Aim: To confirm the effectiveness of the ActiPatch device in treating and preventing pillar pain following open carpal tunnel release surgery.

Methods: Ten elderly patients with pillar pain after carpal tunnel release surgery were treated with ActiPatch for seven days. When these patients underwent surgery on the opposite hand, they were pre-emptively treated with ActiPatch to prevent pillar pain. Pain was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functionality was assessed using the Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) and Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ) scoring systems, and patient satisfaction was evaluated.

Results: All patients showed an improvement in pain level and functional capacity after using ActiPatch for pillar pain management. Additionally, none of the patients experienced pillar pain during the subsequent preventive phase.

Conclusion: The use of ActiPatch proves to be a viable and effective approach for managing and preventing pillar pain in elderly patients with weight-bearing hands who have undergone carpal tunnel release surgery.

Keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome, complications, elderly, pain management, postoperative pain

How to Cite:

Sassara, G. M., Cannella, A., Caruso, L., Taccardo, G., Passiatore, M., Militerno, A., Marinangeli, M. & De Vitis, R., (2025) “Effectiveness of ActiPatch in the management and prevention of pillar pain following open carpal tunnel release surgery in weight-bearing hand of elderly patients: an observational study”, Medicinski glasnik 22(1), 115-120. doi: https://doi.org/10.17392/1787-22-01