The Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosis and Treatment Trial is project #1 of the Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center focused on upper extremity pain. It is a randomized trial comparing surgical and nonsurgical treatments for patients with early, mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. In addition the study will evaluate the ability of a new magnetic resonance (MR) technique at predicting who will likely benefit from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) surgery.
While there is good evidence that patients with severe CTS benefit from surgery, there is less evidence of a benefit for patients with mild to moderate disease. However, mild to moderate disease still accounts for important disability. Electrodiagnostic studies (EDS) have not been shown to accurately predict outcomes for patients with CTS. Recent advances in MR permit high-resolution neurographic imaging of the median nerve, and pilot data suggest that wrist MRI might be a better predictor of outcome than EDS. Thus, wrist MRI has the potential for playing a major role in the treatment of patients with CTS. We will test two main hypotheses: 1) that select patients with early, mild or moderate CTS benefit more from early surgery than with conservative therapy; and, 2) that wrist MRI accurately identifies those patients more likely to benefit from surgery. We will perform a randomized, controlled treatment trial nested within a prospective cohort as our study design.
Allocation: Randomized, Control: Active Control, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Early Carpal Tunnel Release for Mild or Moderate CTS, MR Nerve Imaging for CTS
University of Washington Medical Center
Seattle
Washington
United States
98104
Completed
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Published on BioPortfolio: 2014-08-27T03:56:18-0400
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Entrapment of the MEDIAN NERVE in the carpal tunnel, which is formed by the flexor retinaculum and the CARPAL BONES. This syndrome may be associated with repetitive occupational trauma (CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDERS); wrist injuries; AMYLOID NEUROPATHIES; rheumatoid arthritis (see ARTHRITIS, RHEUMATOID); ACROMEGALY; PREGNANCY; and other conditions. Symptoms include burning pain and paresthesias involving the ventral surface of the hand and fingers which may radiate proximally. Impairment of sensation in the distribution of the median nerve and thenar muscle atrophy may occur. (Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1995, Ch51, p45)
Median Neuropathy
Disease involving the median nerve, from its origin at the BRACHIAL PLEXUS to its termination in the hand. Clinical features include weakness of wrist and finger flexion, forearm pronation, thenar abduction, and loss of sensation over the lateral palm, first three fingers, and radial half of the ring finger. Common sites of injury include the elbow, where the nerve passes through the two heads of the pronator teres muscle (pronator syndrome) and in the carpal tunnel (CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME).
Amyloid Neuropathies
Disorders of the peripheral nervous system associated with the deposition of AMYLOID in nerve tissue. Familial, primary (nonfamilial), and secondary forms have been described. Some familial subtypes demonstrate an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Clinical manifestations include sensory loss, mild weakness, autonomic dysfunction, and CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1349)
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Entrapment of the distal branches of the posterior TIBIAL NERVE (which divides into the medial plantar, lateral plantar, and calcanial nerves) in the tarsal tunnel, which lies posterior to the internal malleolus and beneath the retinaculum of the flexor muscles of the foot. Symptoms include ankle pain radiating into the foot which tends to be aggravated by walking. Examination may reveal Tinel's sign (radiating pain following nerve percussion) over the tibial nerve at the ankle, weakness and atrophy of the small foot muscles, or loss of sensation in the foot. (From Foot Ankle 1990;11(1):47-52)
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Compression of the ULNAR NERVE in the cubital tunnel, which is formed by the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, humeral-ulnar aponeurosis, and medial ligaments of the elbow. This condition may follow trauma or occur in association with processes which produce nerve enlargement or narrowing of the canal. Manifestations include elbow pain and PARESTHESIA radiating distally, weakness of ulnar innervated intrinsic hand muscles, and loss of sensation over the hypothenar region, fifth finger, and ulnar aspect of the ring finger. (Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1995, Ch51, p43)