Efficacy of Perineural Dextrose Versus Corticosteroid Injection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

Study Summary

68 patients with bilateral mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided perineural injection therapy with 5% dextrose in water (D5W) or corticosteroid (CS), with each hand receiving a different treatment. The primary outcomes were symptom severity and functional status, assessed using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire symptom severity scale (BCTQs) and functional status scale (BCTQf), and discomfort measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included median nerve conduction parameters and nerve cross-sectional area measured by ultrasonography. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Overall, the results revealed significant improvements in symptoms, function, and discomfort with both treatments, with the greatest benefits occurring within the first 3 months. No significant between-treatment differences were observed throughout follow-up. These findings suggested that D5W was a reasonable non-steroidal alternative to CS for managing mild to moderate CTS.