Tendencies in the Post-surgical Approach for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Current Clinical Practice. / Tendencias en el abordaje posquirúrgico del síndrome del túnel del carpo. Práctica clínica actual.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evidence and specific interventions after carpal tunnel release are limited. The main purpose of this study was to elucidate the current practice patterns of professionals from around the world after carpal tunnel release. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 15-item English survey was designed and distributed via email and through social networks to professionals from different countries. A descriptive study of the items was carried out comparing them with the published evidence. RESULTS: In our study, we identified a great variety in the post-surgical approach of carpal tunnel syndrome in 23 different countries. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: There are no common criteria in the techniques used after surgical decompression of the median nerve.

Terapia con ondas de choque extracorpóreas como alternativa no quirúrgica para el síndrome de túnel del carpo / Extracorporeal shock wave therapy as a non- surgical alternative for carpal tunnel syndrome

Recientemente se han postulado las ondas de choque extracorpóreas como tratamiento para el síndrome de túnel del carpo, el cual ha demostrado ser eficaz, no invasivo y con pocos efectos adversos. Mujer de 49 años con síndrome de túnel del carpo bilateral moderado de tres años de evolución, sin mejoría con el tratamiento convencional y con criterios para manejo quirúrgico. Sin embargo, ante la negativa de la paciente se propone manejo conservador con una sesión de ondas de choque extracorpóreas radiales con 5.000 descargas, a 4 Bar de intensidad y frecuencia de 15 Hz. Seis meses después de la intervención se documenta recuperación en los parámetros neurofisiológicos a nivel bilateral, pero clínica y funcionalmente solo hubo mejoría completa en la mano izquierda, registrando empeoramiento en la mano derecha; por tal razón se realizó liberación quirúrgica con buenos resultados. En la actualidad la paciente se encuentra asintomática en ambas manos. El tratamiento con ondas de choque radiales se constituye en una alternativa efectiva para el manejo conservador del síndrome de túnel del carpo leve a moderado. Los pacientes presentan buena tolerancia, garantizando la adherencia a la intervención.

Recently, extracorporeal shock waves have been postulated as a treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, which has been shown to be effective, noninvasive and with few adverse effects. A 49-year-old woman with moderate bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome of three years of evolution, with no improvement with conventional treatment and with criteria for surgical management. However, due to the patient's refusal, conservative management was proposed with a session of extracorporeal radial shock waves with 5,000 shocks, at 4 Bar intensity and frequency of 15 Hz. Six months after the intervention, recovery in the neurophysiological parameters at bilateral level was documented, but clinically and functionally there was only complete improvement in the left hand, registering worsening in the right hand; for this reason, surgical release was performed with good results. At present the patient is asymptomatic in both hands. Radial shock wave therapy is an effective alternative for the conservative management of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients present good tolerance, guaranteeing adherence to the intervention.