Does Taking an Alpha-lipoic for 40 days after Carpal Tunnel Release decrease the likelihood of developing Pillar Pain?
Filed under Uncategorized
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
Title: Understanding De Quervain’s Pathology: A Comprehensive Exploration of Special Tests
Understanding De Quervain’s Pathology: A Comprehensive Exploration of Special Tests By: Miranda Materi De Quervain’s and Special Tests De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, causing pain and discomfort. These tendons include Abductor Pollicis Longus (APL) and Extensor Pollicis Brevis as they pass through…
Hand Pain in Pregnancy and the New Parent
By: Rachel Reed The transition to parenting can be difficult on a mother or parent’s body, especially when considering the increase in repetitive hand use required to care for a baby. The most common upper extremity conditions that develop during pregnancy and postpartum are carpal tunnel syndrome and de Quervain’s tenosynovitis (Wagner, 2019). Frequently, new…
Carpal tunnel syndrome and its association with body mass index, wrist ratio, wrist to palm ratio, and shape index
A literature review of carpal tunnel syndrome and its association with body mass index, wrist ratio, wrist to palm ratio, and shape index Madani, A. M., Gari, B. S., Zahrani, E. M. A., Al-Jamea, L. H., & Woodman, A. (2022). A literature review of carpal tunnel syndrome and its association with body mass index, wrist…
Pain management techniques for Wrist Fractures
Pain management techniques for wrist fractures Distal radius fractures account for 17.5% of all fractures with a median age of 60.23(Candela et.al, 2022). Pain management is a significant part of post wrist fracturetreatment due to limitations that pain incurs. Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) canoccur along with a distal radius fracture but will not be…
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.