Taking Alpha-Lipoic Acid for 40 days after Carpal Tunnel Surgery can decrease the likelihood of developing Pillar Pain.
Filed under Reviews, Treatments
Filippo, B., Granchi, D., Roatti, G., Merlini, L., Sabattini, T., & Baldini, N. (2017). Alpha-lipoic acid after median nerve decompression at the carpal tunnel: A randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Hand Surgery, 4, 236–42.
The Skinny – A double-blind, randomized controlled study was performed. Sixty-four patients were randomly assigned into two groups after median nerve decompression. Thirty-two patients took the alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), while the other 32 received the placebo pill.
In The Weeds – The outcome measures utilized were Boston Carpal Tunnel score, 2-point discrimination, presence or absence of pillar pain, use of analgesics beyond post-op day 2, and sensory and motor conduction velocities. These measures were assessed at three months post-op.
Bringing it Home – ALA did not significantly improve nerve conduction velocity or Boston Carpal Tunnel score. Taking ALA did reduce pillar pain, and static 2-point discrimination improved in both groups.
Taking ALA for 40 days after carpal tunnel surgery can lower the incidence of Pillar Pain. The study size was relatively small, and the outcome measures of pain and two-point discrimination test are somewhat subjective measures. The ALA treatment (pillar pain treatment) was well tolerated by the study participants. A larger study is needed to confirm these findings.
More To Read
Sensory Processing in People With and Without Tendinopathy
Emilee Sanders, OTS Sensory Processing in People With and Without Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis of Local, Regional, and Remote Sites in Upper- and Lower-Limb Conditions Rio, E, Sandler, J., Cheng, K., Moseley, G. L., Cook, J., & Girdwood, M. (2021) Sensory processing in people with and without tendinopathy: A systematic review with meta-analysis…
Carpal Fractures: A Brief Overview
Carpal fractures account for 8% of fractures in the upper extremity. The carpals are situated between the (distal radius and ulna) and the metacarpals. They make up the proximal row- Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, and Pisiform, the distal row- Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, and Hamate. Here are some of the most common carpal bone fracture Scaphoid…
Do you know the difference between an Electromyography (EMG) and a Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) Study?
Do you know the difference between EMG and NCV (an Electromyography and a Nerve Conduction Velocity Study? The term nerve test is usually a broad term that typically indicates both an Electromyography (EMG) and a Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) study (EMG vs NCV). An EMG looks at the electrical signals your muscle makes when at…
Creating an Action Plan for Addressing Mental Health in the Clinic
Blog By: Rachel Reed As hand therapists, our care for our patients must be driven by the goal of treating the whole person, not just their hand or injury (Hannah, 2011). Occupational therapy is a unique profession in which we are equipped to view our patients through a holistic lens. With this lens, we are…
Sign-up to Get Updates Straight to Your Inbox!
Sign up with us and we will send you regular blog posts on everything hand therapy, notices every time we upload new videos and tutorials, along with handout, protocols, and other useful information.