Comparison of splinting plus local steroid injection, And splinting plus ultrasound and low-level laser therapy outcomes in idiopathic mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome

Objective: Compare the effectiveness of splinting, therapeutic ultra-sound, and low-level laser therapy, and splinting and local steroid injection, to the outcome of patients with idiopathic CTS.

Methods: Ninety-eight hands with idiopathic CTS were evaluated clinically and electrophysiologically at baseline and three months after treatment with either splinting, therapeutic ultrasound, and low-level laser therapy, or splinting and local steroid injection.

Results: Patients with mild to moderate CTS, of both treatment groups, significantly improved clinically and electrophysiologically at the end of the third month compared to baseline.

Conclusion: Both treatment options are effective in short-term management of mild and moderate cases of idiopathic CTS.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compression neuropathy. Its management is based on relieving the pressure on the median nerve with various conservative and surgical treatment methods.