Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the
therapeutic effect of three different combinations in the
conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
by means of clinical and electrophysiological studies. The
combinations included tendon- and nerve-gliding exercises
in combination with splinting, ultrasound treatment in
combination with splinting and the combination of ultrasound,
splinting, tendon- and nerve-gliding exercises. A
total 28 female patients (56 wrists) with clinical and electrophysiologic
evidence of bilateral CTS were studied. In
all patient groups, the treatment combinations were significantly
effective immediately and 8 weeks after the
treatment. The results of the long-term patient satisfaction
questionnaire revealed that symptomatic improvement is
more prominent in the group treated with splinting, exercise
and ultrasound therapy combination. Our results suggest
that a combination of splinting, exercise and
ultrasound therapy is a preferable and an efficacious conservative
type of treatment in CTS.
