Carpal tunnel treatments: Which work? Part 2
Hello
Let’s continue looking at non-surgical treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Ultrasound versus placebo
“No significant improvement in pain, symptoms, or nocturnal waking was demonstrated in favor of therapeutic ultrasound after two weeks of treatment. No significant improvement in peripheral nerve conduction, grip strength or pinch strength assessed at six months was found after seven weeks of ultrasound treatment.”
Ergonomic keyboard versus standard keyboard
“No significant effect in favor of ergonomic keyboard provision was demonstrated for improving Phalen’s or Tinel’s sign, timed Phalen’s test or peripheral nerve conduction.”
Those are all tests we use to look for if a person has carpal tunnel syndrome. If there is no effect, equals no improvement.
“While findings from one trial (Tittiranonda 1999) demonstrated no significant effect of ergonomic keyboard on pain.”
“Findings demonstrated no effect of two ergonomic keyboard designs (Protouch Keyboard, Comfort Keyboard System) on hand function, but a significant effect in favor of two other styles (Microsoft Natural Keyboard, Apple Adjustable Keyboard) was demonstrated by (Tittiranonda 1999).”
Changing your keyboard, doesn’t work.
Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory treatment versus placebo
“In summary, limited evidence suggests that NSAID treatment does not improve short‐term symptoms in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.”
Oral steroids versus placebo
“In summary, there is moderate evidence that oral steroid treatment for two weeks improves short‐term symptoms. Limited evidence suggests that symptom improvement is also achieved with four weeks of oral steroid treatment. There is equivocal evidence regarding the short‐term symptom benefit beyond the end of an oral steroid treatment period.”
Again short-term benefit. If you consider all the complications and risks to your health that comes from taking steroids for any length of time, is there any benefits at all?
Yoga versus wrist splint
“There is limited evidence that yoga and wrist splinting provide similar short‐term improvement in nocturnal waking, Tinel’s sign and grip strength.”
Again short term. No benefit long term. The problem keeps getting worse.
Look out for the final part looking at all the remaining treatments
Jason
