Assessment of therapeutic efficacy of topical application of steroid in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS

Abstract

Abstract Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive neuropathy with high incidence rates of the upper limb, occurring due to compression of the median nerve at the wrist (1). Aim: is to determine the therapeutic effect of topical steroid application as an alternative therapy for surgical and local injection of steroids.Method: 30 female patients ranging were selected randomly and divided into 2 groups; 10 of them were selected as control group and 20 of them were selected to test our therapy (topical Clobetasol ointment). EMG and NCS were done before and after the therapy to determine the success of the proposed drug.Results: There was a significant result both clinically and by EMG and NCS finding after 30 days of treatment in which about 80% of patient were approximately free of pain after treatment as a clinical assessment with a significant EMG and NCS finding at P <0.05. Conclusion: topical skin application over carpal tunnel is of a great value as an alternative conservative treatment for CTS.