Physical Therapy in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Scientific evidence for the management of CTS has exhibited conflicting results. The Cochrane review concluded that surgical treatment relieves symptoms significantly better than splinting but further research is needed. A systematic review focused on physical therapy for the management of CTS included 6 studies and found weak to strong effect of neural gliding exercises. Recent studies have revealed complex nociceptive mechanisms involved in CTS which should be carefully considered during the management of these patients. Proper physical therapy interventions can modulate nociceptive processes found in CTS. We will perform a randomized clinical trial nested within a prospective cohort as our study design to determine if proper physical therapy approach targeted to modulate sensitization processes is equally effective than surgical intervention for improving pain and function in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Inclusion criteria

• pain and paresthesia in the median nerve distribution without extra-median nerve territory symptoms;
• increasing symptoms during night;
• Tinel sign;
• Phalen sign;
• self-reported hand strength deficits.
• Deficits of sensory and motor nerve conduction of the median nerve according to standardized guidelines of the American Association of Electrodiagnosis, American Academy of Neurology, and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Exclusion criteria

• if any sensory/motor deficit in ulnar or radial nerve was present;
• previous interventions with surgery or steroid injections;
• multiple diagnoses of the upper extremity (i.e., cervical radiculopathy, lateral epicondylalgia);
• history of neck, shoulder or arm trauma;
• history of a systemic disease causing CTS (e.g. diabetes mellitus, or thyroid disease);
• history of systemic musculoskeletal conditions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia);
• if the patient was actively involved with or seeking litigation at the time of the study;
• pregnancy.