A multicenter team of Spanish researchers compared the one-year effectiveness of manual physical therapies, including the desensitization maneuvers of the central nervous system, and surgery in patients with CTS. For the study, 12- women with CTS were randomized in two groups: treatment with physical therapy and treatment with surgery.
Here are four things to know:
1. CTS is a pain disorder in the upper extremity caused by compression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel. Prevalence in the United States is estimated at 6 percent to 11 percent, and cumulative lost income per patient ranges from $45,000 to $89,000. CTS surgery also has the highest utilization rate among upper extremity procedures performed.
2. At 12 months, 92 percent of the study participants completed the follow up.
3. Researchers found patients who had surgery and those treated with physical therapy showed similar outcomes for pain relief and function at six months and 12 months, but patients assigned to physical therapy experienced significantly greater relief of symptoms and improvements in hand function at one and three months.
4. The Journal of Pain is the peer-review publication of the American Pain Society, a multidisciplinary community in Chicago that brings together a diverse group of scientists, clinicians and other professionals to increase the knowledge of pain and transform public policy and clinical practice to reduce pain-related suffering.
More articles on orthopedics:
Dr. Robert R. Bell joins Orthopedic Associates — 5 things to know
Blue Cross/Blue Shield designates Monongahela Valley Hospital as Blue Distinction Center for hip, knee replacement — 5 key notes
IRMC physicians recognized — 3 highlights
