Comparing ultrasound-guided steroid injections to intramuscular steroid injections for carpal tunnel syndrome
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Ultrasound-guided Local Steroid Injection vs Intramuscular Steroid Injection in the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Single-blind Study
This study is testing whether ultrasound-guided steroid injections work better than regular intramuscular steroid injections for people with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 63 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Konya Beyhekim Training and Research Hospital Government |
| Locations | 1 site (Konya) |
| Trial ID | NCT06725420 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided local steroid injections versus intramuscular steroid injections in patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: one receiving the ultrasound-guided injection, another receiving the intramuscular injection, and a control group receiving only a wrist splint. The study will assess various outcomes including pain levels, hand strength, patient satisfaction, and ultrasonographic measurements of the median nerve. All patients will also be provided with a nighttime wrist splint to aid in their treatment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with typical symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome lasting longer than 12 weeks.
Not a fit: Patients with significant hand or wrist problems, systemic diseases, or those who have had prior trauma or surgery on the affected hand may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a more effective treatment option for patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown varying success with similar injection approaches for treating carpal tunnel syndrome, but this specific comparison is novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years * Presence of typical CTS symptoms (numbness, tingling, paresthesias, or pain that may be provoked by nighttime or activity-related posture * VAS score of ≥ 3/10 * Symptom duration longer than 12 weeks * Positive Tinel's and/or Phalen's sign * Electrophysiologically mild or moderate CTS being diagnosed. * Volunteer to participate in study Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with shoulder, elbow, wrist, or finger problems (e.g., impingement syndrome, epicondylitis, history of fractures in the wrist, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, trigger finger, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Dupuytren's contracture). * Patients with a history of trauma or surgery in the affected hand, or those with significant anatomical deformities. * Patients with systemic diseases such as rheumatological disorders, hypothyroidism, amyloidosis, diabetes, gout, or chronic kidney failure. * Patients with conditions that may mimic CTS, such as polyneuropathy, plexopathy, cervical radiculopathy, or thoracic outlet syndrome. * Patients with cognitive dysfunction or communication issues. * Patients with severe CTS, neurological deficits (e.g., thenar atrophy, muscle weakness in thumb abduction/opposition), or those requiring surgical intervention. * Patients who have received local steroid injections or physical therapy to the hand/wrist within the last 6 months. * Patients who are receiving or will receive another/additional treatment for CTS. * Pregnant or lactating women. * Patients with active malignancies or local/systemic infections. * Patients who are receiving any active treatment (e.g., NSAIDs, oral/intramuscular steroids, acupuncture, other pain medications). * Patients with upper extremity involvement due to first motor neuron damage (e.g., stroke-hemiplegia, tetraparesis, multiple sclerosis). * Patients with a bifid median nerve, persistent median artery, ganglion cyst, tenosynovitis, or tendinitis in the wrist. * Use of a wrist splint during the last 6 months. * Allergy to corticosteroids or local anesthetics, and blood diathesis
Where this trial is running
Konya
- Konya Beyhekim Training and Research Hospital — Konya, Turkey (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ramazan Yilmaz (MD), Associate Professor
- Email: drramazanyilmaz@yahoo.com
- Phone: 905556232674
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.