scholarly journals Comparison of the efficacy of a neutral wrist splint and a wrist splint incorporating a lumbrical unit for the treatment of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 617-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Batol Golriz ◽  
Monireh Ahmadi Bani ◽  
Mokhtar Arazpour ◽  
Mahmood Bahramizadeh ◽  
Sarah Curran ◽  
...  

Background: Different types of splints have been used as a conservative intervention to improve symptoms in patients with Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Although a number of studies have been undertaken to compare different splints, information and understanding of the influence of these interventions are lacking. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of a classic thermoplastic wrist splint or a wrist splint with an additional metacarpophalangeal unit on pain, function, grip strength, and pinch strength in patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Study design: Quasi experimental design. Methods: A total of 24 patients received conservative treatment using either the classic wrist splint or the wrist splint with the metacarpophalangeal unit for a period of 6 weeks. Primary outcome measures were pain, function, grip strength, and pinch strength. Data were collected immediately before and after using the two types of splints at baseline (0 weeks) and 6 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired t-test and an independent t-test. Results: Compared to baseline, both the classic thermoplastic wrist splint and the wrist splint with a metacarpophalangeal unit significantly decreased pain and increased function, pinch strength, and grip strength. Comparisons of the two types of splints for grip strength ( P = 0.675) and pinch strength ( P = 0.650) revealed that there were no significant differences between the two after 6 weeks of wear. However, there were significant differences in pain levels ( P = 0.022) and the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score ( P = 0.027) between the two types of splints from baseline to 6 weeks. Conclusion: The wrist splint with a metacarpophalangeal unit was more effective than the classic thermoplastic wrist splint in pain reduction and improvement of function. Clinical relevance A wrist splint with a metacarpophalangeal unit may be an appropriate conservative treatment in the rehabilitation of patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.

2011 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 427-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Żyluk ◽  
I. Walaszek

The Levine questionnaire is a disease-oriented instrument developed for outcome measurement of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) management. The objective of this study was to compare Levine scores in patients with unilateral CTS, involving the dominant or non-dominant hand, before and after carpal tunnel release. Records of 144 patients, 126 women (87%) and 18 men (13%) aged a mean of 58 years with unilateral CTS, treated operatively, were analysed. The dominant hand was involved in 100 patients (69%), the non-dominant in 44 (31%). The parameters were analysed pre-operatively, and at 1 and 6 months post-operatively. A comparison of Levine scores in patients with the involvement of the dominant or non-dominant hand showed no statistically significant differences at baseline and any of the follow-up measurements. Statistically significant differences were noted in total grip strength at baseline and at 6 month assessments and in key-pinch strength at 1 and 6 months.


2004 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 390-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. MATHUR ◽  
P. B. PYNSENT ◽  
S. B. VOHRA ◽  
B. THOMAS ◽  
S. C. DESHMUKH

Power grip and thumb key pinch strength were measured pre- and immediately postoperatively in 30 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome while the wrist was in flexion and extension. The carpal tunnel decompression was performed under local infiltration with 1% lignocaine. Grip strength decreased more in wrist flexion than in wrist extension. No difference was found in thumb pinch strength. The authors conclude that some of the immediate postoperative loss of grip strength in wrist flexion can be attributed to prolapse of flexor tendons out of the carpal tunnel in this position.


Hand ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 155894472110068
Author(s):  
Hossein Ali Abdolrazaghi ◽  
Mahmoud Khansari ◽  
Maryam Mirshahi ◽  
Mahin Ahmadi Pishkuhi

Background There is limited evidence regarding the efficacy of different treatment options in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of nerve and tendon gliding exercises in the treatment of patients with mild CTS. Methods The current prospective, randomized trial with pretest-posttest design was conducted on 80 patients with mild CTS randomly assigned to 2 groups. The treatment group was instructed to perform gliding exercises in addition to the wrist splint use. The control group only used the wrist splint. All the patients were instructed to use the splint at night and during the day if required. Patients were evaluated in terms of clinical parameters (ie, grip and pinch strength). The severity of symptoms and functional status was also determined using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire. The subjects were followed up for 6 weeks. Results There were no significant differences in all parameters between groups. The pretest-posttest analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in subjective and objective parameters in the treatment group. However, in the control group, only a significant improvement was observed in grip strength. Wrist splint use led to a significant change in the severity of symptoms only over the second week. Conclusions Both gliding exercise and wrist splint groups showed some improvement in the severity of symptoms and functional status scores. However, the gliding exercises did not offer additional benefit compared with wrist splint alone.


2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 569-579
Author(s):  
David Fedrigo Moraes ◽  
Andréa Licre Pessina Gasparini ◽  
Marco Aurélio Sertório Grecco ◽  
Nathalia Helen Neves Almeida ◽  
Tamiris Cassin Mainardi ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a compressive neuropathy, frequently seen in women. Conservative treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome focuses on control of symptoms and the nervous path, due to the possibility of double compression. Objective: To assess whether a protocol with emphasis on motor control techniques, including segmental cervical stabilization and neural mobilization, has better results in mechanical reorganization and reduction of symptoms when compared with classic therapeutic exercise techniques in the conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods: This pilot study was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, involving 11 women with an average age of 54 (± 6) years, allocated to either a classical kinesiotherapy group (CG) or experimental group (EG). The intervention spanned 12 weeks, with assessments prior to and following therapy, using the monofilament test, handgrip dynamometer, and BCTQ, DASH, and PRWE questionnaires. All normally distributed data was analysed with Student's T-tests. Results: Both groups exhibited an increase in grip strength and relief of symptoms with improved functionality. There was a significant reduction in sensitivity noted in the CG group, and a significant increase in grip strength observed in the EG group. Conclusion: The experimental protocol group exhibited better results in mechanical reorganization, reflected in increased strength, sensitivity, and improved functionality, when compared to the group with conventional therapeutic exercise, but without the same symptomatic reduction.


2004 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.C.F. Hui ◽  
S.M. Wong ◽  
A. Tang ◽  
V. Mok ◽  
L.K. Hung ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Ahmed ◽  
Osama G. Hassan ◽  
Ahmed A. Khalifa

Abstract Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common upper limb entrapment neuropathy; severe cases are treated surgically and mild to moderate can be managed conservatively. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to define the efficacy of gabapentin as an adjuvant to splinting in the treatment of mild to moderate CTS. Methods A systematic search through 13 databases, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting the use of gabapentin with splinting in CTS were included and analyzed. Results Three RCTs including 170 patients were eligible. There was no significant difference between gabapentin plus splinting and splinting alone in 5 measured parameters: (1) Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) [MD (95% CI) = − 0.76 (− 2.46–0.93), p = 0.378], (2) Functional Status Scale (FSS) [MD (95% CI) = − 0.23 (− 1.40–0.94), p = 0.701], (3) visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess pain [MD (95% CI) = − 0.6 (− 1.47–0.27), p = 0.174], (4) Grip strength [MD (95% CI) = − 0.11 (− 0.70–0.48), p = 0.718], and (5) pinch strength [MD (95% CI) = 0.72 (− 0.10–1.54), p = 0.083]. Conclusion This review provides low-quality evidence that gabapentin plus nocturnal splinting is not superior to splinting alone. More high-quality trials are needed to determine the role of this drug as an adjuvant in the management of CTS.


1986 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-186
Author(s):  
D. R. MARSH

Tests of spatial discrimination were performed on the hands of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, before and after surgical decompression. Impairment of sensibility and its recovery after treatment were better demonstrated by a new instrument, the wheel aesthesiometer, than by the moving two-point discrimination test. The psychophysics of the new test and the nature of the sensory impairment in carpal tunnel syndrome are discussed.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document