Single vs. two steroid injections for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomised clinical trial.

Abstract

We investigated the efficacy of a single vs. double steroid injections in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a randomised double-blind controlled trial. Patients with idiopathic CTS were randomised into (i) one group receiving a baseline methylprednisolone acetate injection plus a saline injection 8 weeks later and (ii) a second group receiving methylprednisolone acetate injection at baseline and at 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the Global Symptom Score (GSS). Forty patients were recruited. By 40 weeks, the mean GSS improved from 25.6 to 14.1 in the single-injection group whereas from 26.7 to 12.6 in the reinjection group, but there was no significant difference in GSS between the two groups (p = 0.26). There were also no significant differences in terms of electrophysiological and functional outcomes. The results suggest that an additional steroid injection confers no added benefit to a single injection in terms of symptom relief.

• Authors: S M Wong, A C F Hui, S K Lo, J H Chiu, W F Poon, L Wong
• Journal: International journal of clinical practice (Int J Clin Pract) Vol. 59 Issue 12 Pg. 1417-21 (Dec 2005) ISSN: 1368-5031 [Print] India
• PMID: 16351673 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Methylprednisolone Acetate
• Methylprednisolone

Topics

• Analgesia (methods)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (administration & dosage)
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (drug therapy)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Male
• Methylprednisolone (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
• Methylprednisolone Acetate
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome