Rehabilitation following carpal tunnel release

The management of carpal tunnel syndrome patients following surgery has been evaluated by a group of Cochrane Institute Researchers, including Mr Matthew Page from the Australasian Cochrane Centre.  Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disease related to compression of a nerve in the wrist which results in numbness, pain and tingling in the hand or forearm. Surgery is usually performed on the wrist to restore functionality.

The researchers reviewed different post-operative management strategies, including various dressings, ice/cold therapy, hand therapies, etc.

Following their analysis they discovered there were low levels of quality data available to support current post-operative treatments.  Many studies were rejected from the review due to perceived bias, selective reporting and other factors. The few studies that fit their criteria did not show conclusive data to support any one type of rehabilitation.

They recommended further evidence based trials be conducted to examine the effectiveness of these treatments.

(‘Rehabilitation following carpal tunnel release’:  Peters S, Page MJ, Coppieters MW, Ross M, Johnston V Published Online June 5, 2013).

http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD004158/rehabilitation-following-carpal-tunnel-release#sthash.JkkxG1Jm.dpuf