Evaluation of the effect of local corticosteroid injection and anti-inflammatory medication in carpal tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To evaluate the effect of local corticosteroid injection versus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), 32 patients were included in this study.

METHODS

A prospective, randomised clinical trial, assessing functional findings by Functional Status Scale (FSS), (JTT) Jebsen Taylor Test and electrophysiologic examinations, analysed on initial visit and at the third month after treatment. Group A was treated with betamethasone injection and group B with NSAIDs, both with concomitant use of wrist splints.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 40.8 +/- 11.2 (range 21-64) years. There was a significant improvement in FSS in groups A and B at the third month. In JTT, 'writing', 'picking up small common objects' and 'picking up large heavy objects' activities were improved in group A; 'writing' and 'stacking checkers' activities were improved in group B. Statistically significant improvement was observed in peak sensory conduction velocity and distal motor latency in groups A and B. Mixed nerve conduction velocity and compound sensory action potential were improved in group A.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that neither of the groups demonstrated superior results. We conclude that local steroid injection and NSAIDs with concomitant use of wrist splints may offer patients with CTS variable and effective treatment options for the management of functional scores and nerve conduction parameters.