A 36-Year-Old Woman Is Evaluated for Several Months of Tingling

A 36-year-old woman is evaluated for several months of tingling and numbness of the right hand and fingers that has progressed to dull, aching pain.  The symptoms initially were intermittent but have become persistent, with the pain worsening overnight.  The patient works as an office secretary and has had difficulty typing and holding the phone due to hand weakness.  On examination, she has weakness of thumb opposition and atrophy of the thenar eminence.  The patient attempted treatment with conservative measures but had no significant improvement and has now been referred for surgery.  During surgery, incision of which of the following structures is most likely to improve this patient's symptoms?

A) Fibrous flexor sheaths
B) Flexor carpi ulnaris aponeurosis
C) Palmar aponeurosis
D) Synovial sheaths of flexor tendons
E) Transverse carpal ligament

Correct Answer:

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