Miscellaneous
Splinting vs Surgery in the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – (09-12-02)
Splinting vs Surgery in the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Sorry…couldn’t keep my mouth shut on this one. I see CTS frequently in my office and most cases are not difficult to correct. As a brief lesson in anatomy, nine tendons and one soft little nerve (median) run through the carpal tunnel formed by bone on one side and a very tough ligament on the other. When the tendons swell the soft little median nerve takes the brunt of the abuse, leading to symptoms of CTS. Common sense would lead you to figure out why the tendons are swollen. But, as I like to say…”common sense ain’t so common in medicine.” In general, we put on blinders and stare at only the region 3 inches in width around the wrist, using anti-inflammatories, cortisone injections and finally surgery; never once removing the blinders. However, focusing attention slightly more proximal to the muscles of the forearm (both flexors and extensors) usually yields excellent results.
Splinting vs Surgery in the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
