Extracorporeal Shock Wave Versus Local Corticosteroid Injection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing the Extracorporeal Shock Wave and Local Corticosteroid Injection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

This RCT is to investigate the clinical effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) compared to the local corticosteroid injection (LCI) in managing mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

To investigate the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) compared to the local corticosteroid injection (LCI) in managing mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). About 50-60 patients with mild to moderate CTS are supposed to be randomly allocated into either ESWT group or LCI group. The outcomes include the visual analog scale (VAS), the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), and nerve conduction study at baseline and at 3 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after the treatments.

Inclusion Criteria:

The patients aged ≥18 years

1. Should present a new episode of CTS with symptoms lasting for ≥ six weeks
2. Symptoms include wrist pain, numbness, and paraesthesia on the hands
3. Tested postive by the Phalen test and Tinel test
4. Electrodiagnostically diagnosed with mild to moderate CTS

Exclusion Criteria:

1. A lack of consent information
2. A history of a CTS surgery or LCI in the carpal tunnel
3. Asystemic disease that may interfere with the study