Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common nerve entrapment syndrome worldwide. There are currently no studies examining the effectiveness of corticosteroid injections in patients with normal (negative) EMG studies. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the duration of symptom improvement post corticosteroid injection in patients with negative or mild EMG studies. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire will be given to patients undergoing corticosteroid injections for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome to assess their response to the injection. Investigators will collect data retrospectively. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) is administered as per standard protocol to all patients with CTS who have a negative or mild EMG study. The BCTQ assesses the patient's self-reported symptom severity and functional status. Investigators will analyze this data with respect to demographics as well as numbness in the median n. distribution, nocturnal numbness, weakness/atrophy of the thenar musculature, Tinel's sign, Phalen's test, loss of 2-point discrimination, Quick-Dash score, and grip strength score.
The primary outcome will be the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire outcome score under the different EMG conditions.The secondary outcomes will be numbness in the median n. distribution, nocturnal numbness, weakness/atrophy of the thenar musculature, Tinel's sign, Phalen's test, loss of 2-point discrimination, QuickDash score, and grip strength score. Both outcomes will be examined in patients with negative or mild EMG readings. This information will allow orthopedic physicians to gain a better understanding of the duration of symptom improvement post-corticosteroid injection, allowing them to fine tune their treatment plans for CTS patients.
Patients who speak English
Patients who are 18 years or older
Patients who are clinically diagnosed with CTS
Patients who have a negative or mild EMG study
Patients who do not speak English
Patients who are younger than 18 years of age
Patients who have experienced previous trauma to the wrist
Patients who have had previous treatment for CTS including but not limited to corticosteroid injection or surgery
Patients clinically diagnosed with CTS, have a negative or mild EMG study, and receive a corticosteroid injection at Henry Ford Health System Orthopedics.
Cohort
Other
Corticosteroid injections for CTS treatment
Other interventionTreatment of carpel tunnel syndrome with corticosteroid injections for EMG mild and EMG negative patients
Boston Carpel Tunnel Questionnaire
Scaled 1-5, higher scores indicate worse outcomes
Number of patients with numbness in the median n. distribution
Positive test includes numbness in parts of palm, thumb, second and third finger, assessed by physician
Number of patients with weakness/atrophy of the thenar musculature
Positive test includes weakness in grip or holding objects as described by participant, assessed by physician
Number of patients with positive Tinel's Sign
Positive sign includes 'pins and needles' in parts of palm, thumb, second and third finger upon percussion of median nerve, assessed by physician
Number of patients with positive Phalen's Test
Positive test includes pain in parts of palm, thumb, second and third finger associated with compression of the median nerve, assessed by physician
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