Comparison of Local Steroid Injection and Carpal Tunnel Release in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of local steroid injection (LSI) and carpal tunnel release (CTR) for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedics, Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, Sahiwal from May 2022 to November 2022.

Materials and Methods: A total of 112 patients of either gender, aged between 18 and 70 years, having symptoms of CTS for at least 3 months and a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score of more than 4 were analyzed. Random allocations were done and in Group-A, patients were managed by LSI and Group-B patients by CTR. After 3 months, nocturnal paresthesia relief was assessed on the basis of VAS.

Results: In a total of 112 patient, 80 (71.4%) were female. The mean age was 48.54±11.31 years. The mean baseline VAS score in Group-A was 6.09±1.240 versus 6.04±.90 in Group-B. Post-procedure VAS after 3 months in Group-A was 2.29±1.00 versus 2.75+1.10 in Group-B. The mean decrease in VAS in Group-A was 3.80+1.38 while in Group-B, it was 3.29+1.35 (p=0.047). The efficacy of LSI group was found in 50 (89.3%) patients versus 40 (71.4%) with in CTR group (p=0.0174).

Conclusion: Our study concluded that LSI was a better option than CTR in terms of decrease in the severity of symptoms at 3 months follow-up in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.