Steroid Injection Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Steroid Injection Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of injecting steroid into the carpal tunnel
 in relieving symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome for at least 1 year with outcomes measured
 with patient evaluated symptoms score.Out of the patients referred by primary care, those
 with a clinical diagnosis of CTS who have tried wrist splint and whose symptom severity is
 judged by the examining surgeon to warrant surgery are offered to be put on the waiting list
 for carpal tunnel release. This means a waiting time of approximately 3 months. Patients who
 give informed consent will be asked to attend the outpatient clinic for a physical
 examination followed by allocation to one of the three trial groups. Immediately following
 the allocation the patients will receive the assigned treatment.
www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/11/76
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Primary, idiopathic CTS

 -  Age 18-70 years, either gender

 -  Symptom duration of at least 3 months and inadequate response to wrist splint

 -  Symptoms of classic or probable CTS according to the diagnostic criteria in Katz hand
 diagram

 -  Nerve conduction studies showing median neuropathy at the wrist and no other
 abnormalities or, in the absence of abnormal nerve conduction study results, 2
 surgeons should independently diagnose the patient with CTS.

 -  Scheduled for carpal tunnel release (ie, symptom severity indicating need for
 surgery)exclusion criteria

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Previous steroid injection for CTS in the same wrist

 -  Inflammatory joint disease, diabetes mellitus· Vibration-induced neuropathy,
 polyneuropathy

 -  Pregnancy

 -  Trauma to the affected hand in the previous year

 -  Previous CTS surgery in the affected hand

 -  Inability to complete questionnaires due to language problem or cognitive disorder

 -  Severe medical illness

 -  Known abuse of drugs and/or alcohol