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Comparison of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency versus steroid injection in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

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Abstract

Background

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most widespread form of nerve entrapment neuropathy results from increase compression pressure of the median nerve at the wrist under the transverse carpal ligament.

Aims

To compare ultrasound (US)-guided median nerve steroid injection and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) on pain intensity, functional status, and patient satisfaction in the treatment of CTS.

Methods

A total of 90 hands of 59 patients who underwent steroid injection at the level of proximal carpal tunnel or PRF for CTS were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. The pain severity was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and the functional status and clinical outcomes were assessed using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) before the procedure and at Week 1, Month 1, and Month 3 after the procedure. Time to pain relief was evaluated at week 1. Patient satisfaction was evaluated at Month 3.

Results

There was no significant difference in the NRS and BCTQ scores between the two treatment methods (p > 0.05 for both). In addition, a significant decrease in the NRS and BCTQ scores were detected at all follow-ups compared to baseline in treatment groups (p < 0.001). The mean time to pain relief was significantly shorter in the PRF group (p < 0.001). Patient satisfaction was similar at Month 3 between the treatment methods (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Our study results suggest that both US-guided steroid injection to the median nerve and PRF are effective and safe methods in the short-term in the treatment of CTS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pain Medicine, Health Sciences University Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, General Dr. Tevfik Sağlam Cd. No. 1, 06010, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey

    Alp Eren Celenlioglu

  2. Department of Pain Medicine, Usak University Training and Research Hospital, Fevzi Çakmak, Gazi Blv. Yanyolu No. 50, 64300, Usak, Merkez, Turkey

    Hanzade Aybuke Unal-Artık

  3. Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Division of Pain Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Köşk Mah. Prof. Dr. Turhan Feyzioğlu Cad. No. 42, 38039, Melikgazi, Kayseri, Turkey

    Gulen Guler

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  1. Alp Eren Celenlioglu
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  3. Gulen Guler
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Alp Eren Çelenlioğlu, Hanzade Aybüke Ünal Artık, and Gülen Güler. The manuscript was written by Alp Eren Çelenlioğlu. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Alp Eren Celenlioglu.

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Research involving human participants and/or animals

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Written informed consent was obtained from all patients.

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Celenlioglu, A.E., Unal-Artık, H.A. & Guler, G. Comparison of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency versus steroid injection in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Ir J Med Sci 191, 2751–2757 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-02923-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-02923-0

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