The new trend PRP combined with glucose injection is effective in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Playing video games and catching treasures crazily is a dream. Be careful to cause the sequelae of carpal tunnel syndrome called "mouse hand"! The patient's thumb, forefinger and middle finger may have tingling and pain. In severe cases, a slight touch of the wrist will cause electric shock, so you must seek medical attention as soon as possible. If it is not treated as soon as possible, it will easily lead to irreversible neuropathy.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is related to median neuropathy.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral neuropathy, and its incidence increases with age. The age of women is between 45 and 54 years old, and the prevalence rate is about 7% for women and 1% for men. Modern people are busy with work and like to use 3C products, and the incidence rate is on the rise, while the age group is on the decline.

According to Dr. Wu Yongcan from the Department of Rehabilitation, General Hospital of the Third Armed Forces, the main cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is the median nerve, which dominates thumb movement and thumb, index finger, middle finger and some ring fingers. It will pass through the carpal tunnel at the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome may occur if it is compressed and inflamed, resulting in hypoxia and pathological changes of the median nerve.

The high-risk group of carpal tunnel syndrome is related to some occupations.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is more common in computer users, people who bend their wrists excessively and stretch for a long time (which may increase the carpal tunnel pressure by 8- 10 times), such as mechanics, carpenters, typists and housewives. Other possible causes include: wrist fracture's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, thyroid diseases, alcoholism, late pregnancy, tumor compression, etc.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be divided into early stage, middle stage and late stage.

The clinical symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can be divided into early, middle and late stages: numbness and tingling in the radial direction of thumb, index finger, middle finger and ring finger will appear in the early stage, and the symptoms can appear anywhere, but it is easier to get worse when sleeping at night or getting up in the morning. When patients wake up, their hands are often numb, so shaking hands can relieve symptoms and easily delay medical treatment. In the middle stage, there will be persistent finger pain and numbness. Further, there may be obstacles in holding chopsticks, cups, buttons and other subtle movements, and even the grip strength will weaken and things will be unstable. In the later stage, the muscles at the root of the thumb atrophy and lose sensation. As long as you touch your wrist gently, you will feel an electric shock.

Traditional treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome has limited effect.

Traditional treatment includes taking painkillers and vitamin B group, but the improvement of symptoms is limited. In addition, rehabilitation treatment refers to laser, ultrasound, electrotherapy, wax therapy and so on. It takes a long time and takes a long time to get results. There is also a special wristband to reduce oppression, which needs to be worn for a long time and is inconvenient. Local steroid injection, however, takes effect quickly, but the duration is not long (about 1-2 months), and side effects and neurotoxicity should be considered. Another operation, because of the severity or ineffective conservative treatment, has a good effect, but it still has a certain recurrence rate, which may be related to sequelae (pain, infection, postoperative weakness or stickiness).

For the new treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, the Department of Rehabilitation of the General Hospital of the Third Armed Forces used to have a series of related studies and empirical studies, mainly as follows:

New treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome;

1. extracorporeal shock wave:

The research of comprehensive rehabilitation has confirmed that shock wave is helpful to speed up nerve repair and has a good effect on carpal tunnel syndrome. It can be used for many times (1-2 weeks/time), and the effect is more obvious. It is suitable for patients with mild to moderate degree or patients who refuse invasive treatment, but medical insurance does not pay for it.

2. Ultrasound-guided glucose injection:

Studies have confirmed that nerve injection with 5% glucose water can effectively reduce nerve inflammation and swelling. In addition, ultrasound-guided injection can relieve nerve compression and hypoxia, promote blood circulation and improve neuropathy. The related results have been published in the internationally renowned Mayo Clinic Journal. Glucose solution has no side effects, and can be administered for many times, with more obvious effect. Suitable for mild to moderate patients, but not covered by medical insurance. Generally, treatment is needed for about 3-5 times according to the severity (every 1-2 weeks 1 time).

3. Autologous high concentration platelet plasma (PRP):

PRP itself is rich in many growth factors. Through rigorous experimental design, it has been proved that PRP can significantly improve patients' symptoms and promote nerve repair compared with traditional wrist protection therapy. Applying 1 time can at least improve the symptoms 1 year, and its effect is more significant and lasting than glucose water. Repeated application is more effective (recommended interval 1-2 months), suitable for medium and long-term use.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is related to median neuropathy. Shock wave is helpful to accelerate nerve repair and has a good effect on carpal tunnel syndrome. (Photo courtesy of the General Hospital of the Third Military Region) A new treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, including ultrasound-guided glucose injection. (Photo courtesy of the General Hospital of the Three Armies)