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Recent Advances in the Understanding and Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: a Comprehensive Review

  • Hot Topics in Pain and Headache (N Rosen, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an entrapment neuropathy that involves the compression of the median nerve at the wrist and is considered the most common of all focal entrapment mononeuropathies. CTS makes up 90% of all entrapment neuropathies diagnosed in the USA and affects millions of Americans.

Recent Findings

Age and gender likely play a role in the development of CTS, but additional studies may further elucidate these associations. Of known associated risk factors, diabetes mellitus seems to have the greatest association with CTS. One of the most commonly reported symptoms in CTS is a “pins-and-needles” sensation in the first three fingers and nocturnal burning pain that is relieved with activity upon waking. Treatment for CTS is variable depending on the severity of symptoms.

Summary

Conservative management of CTS is usually considered first-line therapy. In cases of severe sensory or motor deficit, injection therapy or ultimately surgery may then be considered. Still CTS is often difficult to treat and may be reoccurring. Novel treatment modalities such as laser and shockwave therapy have demonstrated variable efficacy though further studies are needed to assess for safety and effect. Given the unknown and potentially complex etiology of CTS, further studies are needed to explore combinations of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Ivan Urits & Vwaire Orhurhu

  2. Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

    Kyle Gress & Karina Charipova

  3. Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Alan D. Kaye

  4. Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Omar Viswanath

  5. Department of Anesthesiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Omar Viswanath

  6. Department of Anesthesiology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA

    Omar Viswanath

Authors
  1. Ivan Urits
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ivan Urits.

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Conflict of Interest

Ivan Urits, Kyle Gress, Karina Charipova, Vwaire Orhurhu, and Omar Viswanath declare no conflict of interest. Alan D. Kaye discloses that he is on the Speakers Bureau for Depomed, Inc., and Merck.

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Urits, I., Gress, K., Charipova, K. et al. Recent Advances in the Understanding and Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: a Comprehensive Review. Curr Pain Headache Rep 23, 70 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-019-0811-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-019-0811-z

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