Last year, the AAOS introduced two clinical practice guidelines, one on the diagnosis and the other on the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Since then, the guidelines have won praise and been endorsed by the following organizations:

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons—endorsed both sets of CTS guideline
• American Association of Neuro-logical Surgeons—endorsed the CTS treatment guideline
• Congress of Neurological Surgeons—endorsed the CTS treatment guideline
• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation—endorsed both guidelines

“The guidelines were created to improve patient care by outlining the appropriate information-gathering and decision-making processes involved in the diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome,” said Michael W. Keith, MD, who cochaired the workgroup that prepared the guidelines, and also chairs the Evidence-based Practice Committee. “We are very pleased that other medical organizations have endorsed our guidelines; their support is a testament to the hard work and efforts of the workgroup.”

Dr. Keith’s cochair is Victoria R. Masear, MD. Other members of the workgroup are Kevin Chung, MD; Peter C. Amadio, MD; Michael Andary, MD; Richard W. Barth, MD; Bernard Kent Maupin, MD; and Brent Graham, MD. William C. Watters III, MD, chairs the Guidelines and Technology Oversight Committee.

Summaries of the clinical practice guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of CTS were published in the June 2009 issue of the Journal of the AAOS. The full guidelines, including supporting documents, can be accessed at www.aaos.org/guidelines