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

Gurcay E, Unlu E, Gurcay AG, Tuncay R, Cakci A

The purpose of this study was 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 randomised clinical trial which assessed 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.

The results showed that neither of the groups demonstrated superior results. It is concluded 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.

Scott Med J. 2009, 54(1), 4-6

Link to Abstract