Ultrasound Therapy Adds No Benefit to Splinting in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Therapeutic ultrasound has been suggested as a treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but existing trial evidence is poor-quality and inconclusive.

METHODS: We conducted a randomised, controlled trial of therapeutic ultrasound in mild to moderate CTS. 40 patients were treated with wrist splints plus either real or sham therapeutic ultrasound and followed for 1 year post-treatment. The primary outcome was change in Symptom Severity Scale. Secondary outcomes were Functional Status Scale, nerve conduction studies and ultrasound imaging of the median nerve.

RESULTS: Both groups showed significant clinical and neurophysiological improvement at 6 and 12 months compared to baseline. There were no significant differences between groups at any time. In a multivariate analysis the only independently significant predictors of the primary outcome were pre-treatment symptom severity and additional treatments during follow-up.

DISCUSSION: We found no clinically significant benefit from ultrasound treatment for CTS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.