title: Intracarpal steroid injection is safe and effective for short-term management of carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: A double-blinded placebo-controlled trial was performed to evaluate the use of steroid injections beneath the transverse carpal ligament in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) refractory to nonsurgical therapy. Forty-three patients received 6 mg betamethasone and lidocaine and 38 patients received 1 ml saline placebo and lidocaine. The primary outcome measure was satisfaction with symptom relief. Thirty patients (70%) in the steroid-treated group were satisfied or highly satisfied compared with 13 (34%) of placebo-treated patients (P < 0.001). Patients receiving steroids also showed significant improvement in median nerve conduction parameters and scores on validated symptom/function questionnaires. Forty-six patients were treated with serial injections for recurrent CTS symptoms. After 18 months, 17 patients reported adequate symptom relief with steroid injection, and 18 patients with unsatisfactory symptom relief were referred for carpal tunnel release surgery. We conclude that although steroid injections are safe and effective for temporary relief of CTS, most patients will eventually require surgery for long-term control of their symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Kaiser Permanente, 4405 Vandever Avenue, San Diego, California 92120, USA. timothy.p.armstrong@kp.org
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Devor
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Borschel
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Contreras
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014953:Wrist / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D001623:Betamethasone