Corticosteroid injection vs. nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug and splinting in carpal tunnel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of local corticosteroid injection to a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug and splinting for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. DESIGN: This study was a prospective, unblinded, randomized clinical trial with an 8-wk follow-up. Thirty-three hands of 23 patients were randomly treated with acemetacine and splinting (group A) or with corticosteroid injection (group B). Clinical (symptom severity scale, visual analog scale, Tinel and Phalen tests) and electromyographic evaluations were performed on initial visit and after 8 wk. RESULTS: Clinical and electromyographic parameters, which were similar at baseline, were improved in both groups after treatment. Improvement was also similar when both groups were compared at 8 wk. CONCLUSION: Both splinting combined with the use of a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug and steroid injection into the carpal tunnel resulted in significant improvement in carpal tunnel syndrome.