What Offers Carpal Tunnel the Best Relief?
Carpal tunnel, which is marked by numbness, tingling and pain in the thumb, index finger, wrist and arm, is caused by the median nerve being compressed and is predominantly work-related. Carpal tunnel supposedly affects over 8 million Americans and is responsible for over 50 percent of work-related injuries. There are typically three main ways to relieve, though treatment can vary and depends upon the doctor: splinting, steroid injection and surgery.
A recent severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) review published in The Cochrane Library suggests that surgery is more effective for severe cases of the musculoskeletal disease than splinting. The review took a look at four different studies on carpal tunnel and involved over 300 participants with the condition. The review found that patients who underwent surgery had less pain and muscle weakness than those who chose splinting. This pain-free period lasted for a considerable amount of time after surgery. For three months and even after a year, patients who chose surgery had less pain and numbness than those choosing splinting.
They also found that those who chose non-surgical treatment were very likely to return for surgery at a later date, while those who chose surgery first seldom had to return for more surgery or treatment.
While it is apparent that surgery is more effective than splinting, researchers are still unsure as to whether surgery is a more effective treatment than steroid injections, which have been reported to provide considerable relief to patients.
It is worth noting that surgery can have painful side effects, from infection and stiffness, to painful scars and irritation in the wrist.
While these treatments are helpful, another study suggests that doctors should wait for a while and watch symptoms before jumping on the bandwagon to offer splinting, steroid injection, or surgery. They found that nearly two-thirds of the patients they followed for over a two year period had an improvement in their symptoms of carpal tunnel over time without any treatment at all. Many who did not improve, at least stayed the same without treatment.
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A recent severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) review published in The Cochrane Library suggests that surgery is more effective for severe cases of the musculoskeletal disease than splinting. The review took a look at four different studies on carpal tunnel and involved over 300 participants with the condition. The review found that patients who underwent surgery had less pain and muscle weakness than those who chose splinting. This pain-free period lasted for a considerable amount of time after surgery. For three months and even after a year, patients who chose surgery had less pain and numbness than those choosing splinting.
They also found that those who chose non-surgical treatment were very likely to return for surgery at a later date, while those who chose surgery first seldom had to return for more surgery or treatment.
While it is apparent that surgery is more effective than splinting, researchers are still unsure as to whether surgery is a more effective treatment than steroid injections, which have been reported to provide considerable relief to patients.
It is worth noting that surgery can have painful side effects, from infection and stiffness, to painful scars and irritation in the wrist.
While these treatments are helpful, another study suggests that doctors should wait for a while and watch symptoms before jumping on the bandwagon to offer splinting, steroid injection, or surgery. They found that nearly two-thirds of the patients they followed for over a two year period had an improvement in their symptoms of carpal tunnel over time without any treatment at all. Many who did not improve, at least stayed the same without treatment.
Return to:
Additional Pages
Will social security look at all my medical conditions?
General information on medical conditions
Can certain medical conditions get you approved for disability?
Filing for Disability in Arizona
Labels: carpal tunnel surgery, carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist splints
2 Comments:
At November 16, 2008 3:15 AM ,
Arms Smith said...
One problem with carpal tunnel surgery is that sometimes the carpal tunnel syndrome is a secondary problem of an impingement elsewhere in the upper extremities and the surgery only addresses half the injury. In these cases it often found that the surgery is a temporary fix and the CTS comes back.
Of course it helps to have a doctor that knows their Repetitive Strain Injuries. But its good to be aware of this possibility and ask questions should you find yourself headed towards surgery.
Thanks Disability Blogger for your consistently great info!!!
At November 17, 2008 3:44 PM ,
Dnews said...
I agree completely. Thanks for the comment.
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