Carpal Tunnel Surgery Alternatives? Research Demonstrates Options
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) can be a very debilitating and painful condition that affects the nerves in the wrist, and can create pain up the elbow and into the shoulder and neck. Most people do not know that CTS is a form of peripheral neuropathy, which means pathology of a nerve. Many people with CTS have little relief and ultimately have surgery as a last resort, and unfortunately the surgery doesn’t always work. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is prevalent in those with jobs that require repetitive use of their hands, and are commonly seen in construction, manufacturing, jobs involving a keyboard and dentistry.
The good news is that technology and science continue to advance, and new information and therapies are available for carpal tunnel that have been shown to work in the latest research. A recent study shows that Low Level Laser therapy in combination with splinting was shown to improve outcomes, lessen symptom severity, alleviate pain, and increase patient satisfaction in those with CTS.1
1) Dincer U, Cakar E, Kiralp MZ, Kilac H, Dursun H. The effectiveness of conservative treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome: splinting, ultrasound, and low-level laser therapies. Photomed Laser Surg. 2009 Feb;27(1):119-25.