The Effect of Combined PRP and ESWT for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The Long-term Effect of Combined Platelet Rich Plasma With Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The platelet rich plasma (PRP) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) are new and potential treatment for patients with kinds of musculoskeletal disorders. Although few clinical studies have showed beneficial effect of PRP and ESWT for regeneration of peripheral neuropathy, the effect of combined PRP and ESWT is absent so far.

We perform a prospective randomized, double-blinded study to investigate the combined effect of PRP and ESWT in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Patients were randomized into intervention and control group. Participants in intervention group received sono-guided injection with 3cc PRP and one-session active ESWT and control group received sono-guided injection with 3cc PRP and one-session sham ESWT. The evaluation was performed pretreatment as well as on the 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 24 week after the treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age between 20-80 year-old.
2. Typical symptoms and signs of CTS, such as positive Tinel's sign or Phalen's test, numbness/tingling in at least two of the first, second, or third digits, and in whom the diagnosis was confirmed using an electrophysiological study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Cancer
2. Coagulopathy
3. Pregnancy
4. Inflammation status
5. Patients who had conditions mimicking CTS, such as cervical radiculopathy, polyneuropathy, brachial plexopathy, thoracic outlet syndrome or who had previously undergone wrist surgery or steroid injection for CTS.