SEVİL OKAN, AHMET INANİR, FATİH CELİKYAY, BETUL CEVİK
Eurasian Journal of Medical Investigation - 2020;4(3):320-326
Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare different conservative treatments in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods: Forty patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome were included in the present quasi-experimental study. Patients were randomized into phonophoresis (n=20 hands) and ultrasound (n=20 hands) groups. Phonophoresis group had phonophoresis treatment at the rate of 1.5 w/cm2 with mucopolysaccharide polysulphate (MPS) gel as conductivity agent, while ultrasound group had ultrasound treatment at the rate of 1.5 w/cm2 only. Both groups received hand-wrist orthosis, tendon and nerve gliding exercises. All patients were evaluated based on physical examination findings, electroneurophysiological parameters, MR imaging, visual analoge scale, Algometer, Jamar Hand Dynamometer and Boston Severity Scale and Functional Status Scale at the beginning of and three months after the treatment. Results: Based on clinical findings, significant improvements were observed in both groups for all symptoms except for hand grip strength in phonophoresis group and except for hand grip strength and motor deficit in ultrasound group. While median nerve conduction velocity increased in both groups (p=0.001 for phonophoresis group and p=0.229 for ultrasound group), significant improvement in electromyography staging was observed only in phonophoresis group (p=0.037). Significant decreases in cross-sectional area in MR measurements were observed at two levels (p<0.005) in ultrasound group, and significant decreases were observed for all measurements in phonophoresis group (p<0.05). Conclusion: It could be stated that MPS phonophoresis has positive effects on nerve conduction studies, MR findings and clinical outcomes in treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
