Background and Objective: Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) is a technique of local anesthesia commonly used in the surgical treatment of a wide variety of conditions affecting the upper extremity, including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). The recent retrospective studies investigated patient experiences in a wide variety of hand disorder-related cases. The aim of our study is to evaluate patient satisfaction regarding open surgical treatment for CTS using the WALANT technique. Material and Methods: we enrolled 82 patients with CTS without medical record of surgical treatment for CTS. For WALANT, a hand surgeon used a combination of 1:200,000 epinephrine, 1% lidocaine, and 1 mL 8.4% sodium bicarbonate solution without tourniquet application and sedating the patient. All patients were treated in a day-care setting. For assessment of patient experience, Lalonde’s questionnaire was adapted. Participants completed survey twice: one month and six months after the surgical treatment was performed. Results: the median pre-operative pain score for all patients was 4 (range 0–8) after one month and 3 (range 1–8) after six months. The median intraoperative pain score for all patients was 1 (range 0–8) after one month and 1 (range 1–7) after six months. The median post-operative pain score for all patients was 3 (range 0–9) after one month and 1 (range 0–8) after six months. More than half (61% after one month and 73% after six months) of the patients responded by stating that their real experience of WALANT was better than their initial expectations. An absolute majority of patients (95% after one month and 90% after six months) would recommend WALANT treatment to their relatives. Conclusions: overall, patient satisfaction with treatment for CTS using WALANT is high. Furthermore, complications related to the performed treatment and persistent post-operative pain could be associated with more reliable patient recall of this healthcare intervention. A longer period of time between intervention and assessment of patient experience could possibly be a reason for recall bias.

Background: Arthropathy is a collective term for any disease of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It is characterized by joint pain and functional impairment which results in a negative impact on quality of life. The aim of the study is to analyze inequalities in prevalence and incidence from arthropathy by gender and age groups and their changes in Lithuania in 2001-2019. Methods: The data (aged 0+) on incidence and prevalence from arthropathy (ICD-10 codes M00-M25) in 2001-2019 was obtained from Hygiene Institute. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to assess trends of rates during 2001-2019. Results: In 2001-2019 incidence rates of arthropathy changes were similar in females (by 6.5% per year, P < 0.001) and males (by 6.6% per year, P < 0.001). However, prevalence was higher in males (by 5.6% per year, P < 0.001) than in females (by 4.1% per year, P < 0.001). Incidence of arthropathy increased on average by 6.6% per year (P < 0.001) in the age group 18-44 years. Besides, incidence rates increased: by 6.1% per year (P < 0.001) among adults aged 45-64 years and by 6.2% per year (P < 0.001) among adults ≥65 years. According to statistical data in 2001-2019 prevalence rates increased the most among adults aged 18-44 years (on average by 5.9% per year, P < 0.001). Prevalence increased: in the age group 45-64 years by 4.0% per year (P < 0.001); ≥65 years by 2.3% per year (P < 0.001). Conclusions: In 2001-2019 incidence rates of arthropathy among females and males were similar and prevalence rates were higher in males compared to females. Moreover, the highest incidence and prevalence rates were in age group 18-44 years. Key messages: In 2001-2019 the prevalence of arthropathy was higher in males than females in Lithuania. In all age groups prevalence and incidence increased (notably among adults aged 18-44 years).