scholarly journals The effectiveness of therapeutic massage in carpal tunnel syndrome

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-23
Author(s):  
Iwona Wilk

Background: The carpal tunnel syndrome is a neuralgia of the median nerve of the hand caused by permanent pressure which results in sensation and motion disturbances in the area. Principal symptoms include pain in the hand and wrist, numbness and tingling of the fingers, sensation dysfunctions, and finally, the limitation of mobility and manual flexibility of the hand. The discomfort leads to a significant decrease in the patient’s quality of life. In case of carpal tunnel syndrome surgical and non-surgical treatments with selected elements of physiotherapy are applied. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to present and evaluate possible methods of treatment such as massage therapy and lymphatic drainage as the form of post-surgery treat-ment in carpal tunnel syndrome.Material and methods: The young woman with the carpal tunnel syndrome after the surgical treatment received 50-minute lymphatic drainage (three sessions) and 30-minute therapeutic massage (four sessions). The procedures were performed every two days.Results: After the application of both kinds of massage in appropriate sequence, the following changes have been notified. The swelling in the area of the hand was reduced and the patient reported definite decrease of pain.Conclusions: The massage might be one of the forms of therapy used after surgical treatment in carpal tunnel syndrome, especially when the symptoms occur. It is also often effective with other components of physiotherapy as non-surgical treatment.

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 784-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Bowman ◽  
Stephan Rudolfer ◽  
Peter Weller ◽  
Jeremy D. P. Bland

Hand ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 155894472110289
Author(s):  
Amy Phan ◽  
Warren Hammert

Background: Assessment of outcomes for cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) surgeries has been difficult due to heterogeneity in outcome reporting. Our objective was to evaluate the outcomes for 2 cohorts treated surgically for isolated CuTS and for combined CuTS and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) using Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Methods: There were 29 patients in the isolated CuTS cohort and 30 patients in the combined CuTS and CTS cohort. PROMIS Physical Function (PF), Pain Interference (PI), Depression, and Upper Extremity (UE) were completed preoperatively and 1-week, 6-weeks, and 3-months postoperatively. Responsiveness was evaluated by standardized response means (SRM). Results: Significant improvements from the 1-week to 6-week postoperative period are shown in the isolated CuTS cohort for PROMIS PF ( P = .002), PI ( P = .0002), and UE ( P = .02), but scores plateau after 6-weeks postoperatively. A similar pattern for the same time points was seen for the combined CuTS and CTS group for PROMIS PF ( P = .001), PI ( P = .02), and UE ( P = .04), with a plateau of scores beyond 6 weeks postoperatively. PROMIS UE was more responsive (SRM range: 0.11-1.03) than the PF (SRM range: 0.02-0.52) and PI (SRM range: 0.11-0.40), which were both mildly responsive for both cohorts. Conclusions: PROMIS lacks the sensitivity to show improvement beyond 6-weeks postoperatively for both isolated CuTS and combined CuTS and CTS. Patients with combined nerve compressions follow similar trajectories in the postoperative period as those with isolated CuTS. Level of Evidence: Level IV.


2000 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masato Okada ◽  
Osamu Tsubata ◽  
Sadayuki Yasumoto ◽  
Norihiko Toda ◽  
Tadami Matsumoto

Author(s):  
Ahmadreza Afshar ◽  
Ali Tabrizi

AbstractCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a common neuropathy of the upper limb, is highly prevalent in diabetic patients. Recent findings indicate that changes in median nerve elasticity and its gliding characteristics may contribute to the development of CTS. Normally, each nerve should be able to adapt to the positional changes by passive movement relative to the surrounding tissues. This ability is provided by a gliding apparatus around the nerve trunk in the surrounding soft tissue. The fascicles of nerve trunks can also glide against each other (interfascicular gliding). Sonoelastography indicates that nerve elasticity is decreased in patients with CTS compared to healthy patients. Moreover, decreased nerve elasticity in diabetes mellitus type II is associated with increased neuropathy, especially in peripheral nerves. Biomechanical factors, oxidative stress, and microvascular defects are also observed in diabetic neuropathy and account for different complications. A reduction in the elasticity of peripheral nerves may be related to decreased interfascicular gliding because of the biomechanical changes that occur in neuropathy. Surgical treatments, including nerve release and reduction of carpal tunnel pressure, improve peripheral gliding but do not resolve disease symptoms completely. According to the evidence, interfascicular gliding dysfunction is the most important factor in the pathogenesis of CTS in diabetic patients. Available evidence suggests that biomechanical variations affect interfascicular gliding more than peripheral gliding in diabetic patients. Decreased nerve elasticity is strongly correlated with decreased interfascicular gliding. It is further hypothesized that the concurrent use of antioxidants and pharmacological treatment (neuroprotection) such as alpha lipoic acid with carpal tunnel release in diabetic patients may alleviate the interfascicular gliding dysfunction and improve median neve elasticity. Decreased nerve elasticity and interfascicular gliding dysfunction play significant roles in the pathogenesis of CTS in diabetic patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Jun Sadatsune ◽  
Plínio da Cunha Leal ◽  
Rachel Jorge Dino Cossetti ◽  
Rioko Kimiko Sakata

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: Effective postoperative analgesia is important for reducing the incidence of chronic pain. This study evaluated the effect of preoperative gabapentin on postoperative analgesia and the incidence of chronic pain among patients undergoing carpal tunnel syndrome surgical treatment. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: Randomized, double-blind controlled trial, Federal University of São Paulo Pain Clinic. METHODS: Forty patients aged 18 years or over were randomized into two groups: Gabapentin Group received 600 mg of gabapentin preoperatively, one hour prior to surgery, and Control Group received placebo. All the patients received intravenous regional anesthesia comprising 1% lidocaine. Midazolam was used for sedation if needed. Paracetamol was administered for postoperative analgesia as needed. Codeine was used additionally if the paracetamol was insufficient. The following were evaluated: postoperative pain intensity (over a six-month period), incidence of postoperative neuropathic pain (over a six-month period), need for intraoperative sedation, and use of postoperative paracetamol and codeine. The presence of neuropathic pain was established using the DN4 (Douleur Neuropathique 4) questionnaire. Complex regional pain syndrome was diagnosed using the Budapest questionnaire. RESULTS: No differences in the need for sedation, control over postoperative pain or incidence of chronic pain syndromes (neuropathic or complex regional pain syndrome) were observed. No differences in postoperative paracetamol and codeine consumption were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative gabapentin (600 mg) did not improve postoperative pain control, and did not reduce the incidence of chronic pain among patients undergoing carpal tunnel syndrome surgery.


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