Methylprednisolone Injections for the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Francisco Ramirez-Lafita
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2013)

LettersDecember 17, 2013Methylprednisolone Injections for the Carpal Tunnel SyndromeFrancisco Ramirez-Lafita, MD, PhDFrancisco Ramirez-Lafita, MD, PhDFrom Viamed Monegal Hospital, Tarragona, Spain.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-159-12-201312170-00018 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Atroshi and colleagues’ study (1) shows temporary but nonpersistent relief of the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) after local methylprednisolone injections. In fact, after week 36, the number of patients treated with methylprednisolone injections who had surgery increased (between 73% and 81% at the end of the first year). Moreover, secondary end points (such as the short Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score; Short Form-36 Health Survey bodily pain score; and Short Form-6D score) and treatment satisfaction showed no differences between methylprednisolone and placebo after 10 weeks of corticosteroid injections.Recent studies have found different outcomes. ...References1. Atroshi I, Flondell M, Hofer M, and Ranstam J. Methylprednisolone injections for the carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2013;159:309-17 LinkGoogle Scholar2. Ly-Pen D, Andréu JL, Millán I, de Blas G, and Sánchez-Olaso A. Comparison of surgical decompression and local steroid injection in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: 2-year clinical results from a randomized trial. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2012;51:1447-54. [PMID: 22467087] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Jenkins PJ, Duckworth AD, Watts AC, and McEachan JE. Corticosteroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome: a 5-year survivorship analysis. Hand (N Y). 2012;7:151-6. [PMID: 23730233] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Visser LH, Ngo Q, Groeneweg SJ, and Brekelmans G. Long term effect of local corticosteroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome: a relation with electrodiagnostic severity. Clin Neurophysiol. 2012;123:838-41. [PMID: 21962473] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Meys V, Thissen S, Rozeman S, and Beekman R. Prognostic factors in carpal tunnel syndrome treated with a corticosteroid injection. Muscle Nerve. 2011;44:763-8. [PMID: 21953020] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Francisco Ramirez-Lafita, MD, PhDAffiliations: From Viamed Monegal Hospital, Tarragona, Spain.Disclosures: None disclosed. Forms can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=L13-1073. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoMethylprednisolone Injections for the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Isam Atroshi , Magnus Flondell , Manfred Hofer , and Jonas Ranstam Methylprednisolone Injections for the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome José Luis Andreu and Domingo Ly-Pen Methylprednisolone Injections for the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Isam Atroshi and Jonas Ranstam Metrics December 17, 2013Volume 159, Issue 12Page: 857-858KeywordsComputed axial tomographyElectromyographyHealth surveysInflammationNervesShouldersSurgeryUltrasound imaging ePublished: 17 December 2013 Issue Published: December 17, 2013 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2013 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...