Comparison of %5 Dextrose and Betamethasone Injections in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) is a simple and widely used tool for assessing pain intensity. Patients are asked to rate their pain on a scale from 0 to 10, where: 0 = No pain

1-3 = Mild pain

4-6 = Moderate pain

7-9 = Severe pain

10 = Worst pain imaginable

The patient selects the number that best represents their pain at last one week

The Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) is a disease-specific, patient-reported outcome measure used to assess symptom severity and functional status.1. Symptom Severity Scale (SSS)

Contains 11 items

Evaluates pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, nocturnal symptoms, and symptom frequency

Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = no symptoms, 5 = very severe symptoms)

• Functional Status Scale (FSS)

Contains 8 items

Assesses difficulty in performing daily activities such as writing, buttoning clothes, holding a book, gripping a telephone, opening jars, and carrying grocery bags

Each item is scored from 1 (no difficulty) to 5 (cannot perform the activity)

Median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) refers to the measured area of the median nerve in a transverse (axial) plane, most commonly assessed using high-resolution ultrasonography.CSA measurements were performed using ultrasound at the scaphoid - pisiform bone level in the wrist, with results recorded in mm². To minimize measurement error, each measurement was performed three times, and the average of the three measurements was used for analysis.

Tinel test positivity refers to the reproduction of distal paresthesia in the distribution of a nerve following percussion over the nerve at a suspected site of compression.

Definition of Positivity

The test is considered positive when tapping elicits:

Tingling

"Pins and needles" sensation (paresthesia)

Electric shock-like sensation

radiating into the median nerve distribution (thumb, index finger, middle finger, and radial half of the ring finger).

The Phalen test is performed by asking the patient to fully flex both wrists and maintain this position for approximately 60 seconds. This maneuver increases pressure within the carpal tunnel.

Definition of Positivity

The test is considered positive when the patient experiences:

Numbness

Tingling (paresthesia)

Burning sensation

Pain

in the distribution of the median nerve (thumb, index finger, middle finger, and radial half of the ring finger) during the maneuver.

The Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) is a patient-reported outcome measure developed to assess functional disability of the hand.Structure

The questionnaire consists of 18 items.

It assesses hand-related functional activities such as:

Turning a key

Buttoning clothes

Opening jars

Carrying objects

Using kitchen utensils

Scoring

Each item is scored on a 6-point Likert scale:

0 = Without difficulty

• = With slight difficulty
• = With moderate difficulty
• = With great difficulty
• = Nearly impossible
• = Impossible

The total score ranges from 0 to 90.

Higher scores indicate greater functional impairment.