BACKGROUND: Mild to moderate CTS is the most common median nerve compression disease in middle-aged and elderly women, mainly manifested by hand numbness and pain. This paper analyzes the extracorporeal shock wave of patients with mild to moderate CTS after nerve mobilization.
METHODS: The clinical data of 92 patients with CTS from June 2020 to June 2022 are analyzed and randomly divided into extracorporeal shock wave group (n = 47) and routine group (n = 45). The routine group undergoes nerve mobilization, and the extracorporeal shock wave group receives extracorporeal shock wave therapy on the basis of the routine group. The clinical efficacy, symptom improvement, pain score, median nerve electrophysiological examination results, upper limb symptom and function scores, and ADL scores before and after treatment are observed. The Spearman correlation coefficient is used to analyze the correlation between upper limb function and ADL score, and the incidence of complications after treatment is analyzed.
RESULTS: The clinical efficacy, symptom improvement, pain score, median nerve electrophysiological examination results, upper limb symptom and function score, ADL score and the incidence of complications in the extracorporeal shock wave group are significantly better than those in the conventional group (P < 0.05). ADL scores are negatively correlated.
CONCLUSION: Extracorporeal shock wave combined with nerve mobilization has a significant effect in the treatment of CTS patients, which can significantly improve the symptoms and pain scores of patients, and enhance the function of patients' upper limbs. At the same time, the incidence of complications in patients is less, and it has high safety.
| Discipline Area | Score |
|---|---|
| Physician |  |
Physician rater
How do we distinguish between the effects of nerve mobilization and ECSWT?
Physician rater
In my practice, carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition. I have a few patients using shock wave therapy, but now I will use this tool more frequently.
Physician rater
The authors showed an improvement in symptoms and electrophysiological function when extracorporeal shock wave therapy is added to manipulation in treating carpal tunnel syndrome. The results are impressive, but the study was very time-limited and not compared with other conventional treatments of CTS (e.g., steroid injections). The proposed physiological basis for SWT seems unfounded. Apart from the electrophysiological improvement, much of the symptom improvements could be a placebo effect, as the authors seem biased in their enthusiasm.
, McMaster University