Extract
Question: In patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), how does
decompressive surgery compare with steroid injection for relieving
symptoms?Design: Randomized (allocation
concealed)*, blinded
(outcome assessors), controlled trial with 20-week follow-up.*Information provided by author.Setting: Neurology and rheumatology clinics at the Prince of Wales
Hospital, Hong Kong.Patients: 50 patients (mean age, 50 y; 96% women) with
electrophysiologically confirmed CTS diagnosed >3 months but <1 year
previously. Exclusion criteria were severe CTS (thenar atrophy or unelicitable
distal motor latencies); ulnar, radial neuropathy, or proximal median
neuropathy; coexisting conditions that mimic CTS; a contraindication to
steroid use; a history of underlying disorders associated with CTS (e.g.,
diabetes mellitus, wrist trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, acromegaly, and
hypothyroidism); or pregnancy. Follow-up was 100%.