Corticosteroid injection vs. nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug and splinting in carpal tunnel syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of local corticosteroid injection to a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug and splinting for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.


METHODS
This study was a prospective, unblinded, randomized clinical trial with an 8-wk follow-up. Thirty-three hands of 23 patients were randomly treated with acemetacine and splinting (group A) or with corticosteroid injection (group B). Clinical (symptom severity scale, visual analog scale, Tinel and Phalen tests) and electromyographic evaluations were performed on initial visit and after 8 wk.


RESULTS
Clinical and electromyographic parameters, which were similar at baseline, were improved in both groups after treatment. Improvement was also similar when both groups were compared at 8 wk.


CONCLUSIONS
Both splinting combined with the use of a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug and steroid injection into the carpal tunnel resulted in significant improvement in carpal tunnel syndrome.
Celiker
Reyhan
R
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Arslan
Sule
S
Inanici
Fatma
F
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013165:Splints
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; C026784:acemetacin; D008775:Methylprednisolone; D007213:Indomethacin