A new study has found that a less invasive treatment called hydrodissection can be used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome instead of surgery. Carpal tunnel syndrome causes pain, tingling, and numbness in the fingers due to the compression of the median nerve in the wrist. While it can be treated with medication, physiotherapy, and rest, surgery is often the only option if these methods fail. However, a team at the National Defense Medical Center in Taiwan has found that hydrodissection, a treatment that involves flushing the area around the nerve with a saline solution, can be just as effective. The study involved 63 participants who were randomly divided into three groups, with one group receiving hydrodissection with saline solution, another receiving hydrodissection with saline solution and corticosteroids, and a control group receiving only corticosteroid injections. All three groups experienced a significant improvement in symptoms immediately after treatment, but only the hydrodissection groups maintained this improvement over time.
According to the study, hydrodissection can reduce swelling in the inflamed nerve by up to 46%, compared to only 11% in the control group. The procedure takes only 10-15 minutes and does not require anesthesia or hospitalization. However, it is not without risks, as another study has found that it can lead to nerve and vessel injuries. Despite this, the researchers believe that hydrodissection is a promising alternative to surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome.
In conclusion, carpal tunnel syndrome can be a debilitating condition that often requires surgery if other treatments fail. However, a new study has found that hydrodissection, a less invasive treatment that involves flushing the area around the nerve with a saline solution, can be just as effective. While the procedure is not without risks, it is a promising alternative to surgery that can reduce swelling in the inflamed nerve and provide long-lasting relief from symptoms.
