Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

The carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common nerve entrapment syndrome which is determined by individual complaints ranging from intermittent paraesthesia to persistent numbness and muscular weakness and often by occupational problems. This article gives a review of non-surgical and surgical procedures in the management of the disorder. In cases without electrophysiologically proven nerve damage wrist splinting and occupational rehabilitation is an otional conservative therapy. on the other hand oral steroids or antiphlogistics and local steroid injections into the carpal tunnel give no convincing long term effect. Surgical decompression of the median nerve is indicated if complaints persist and nerve conduction is abnormal. The clinical outcome is excellent with surgical treatment, both the standard open release and the endoscopic approach. While patients may be able to use the hand earlier after endoscopic intervention, the rate of severe complications is slightly lower with the open technique.