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
What to Know as a Hand Therapist When Choosing Thermoplastic Orthosis Material
By: Kelsey Melton Thermoplastic materials can have a variety of properties. Each supplier has a different version of each combination of variables for the therapist to choose from. The most common brands used for orthosis fabrication are Orfit, NorthCoast Medical (NCM), and Raylan. These brands all have their versions of thermoplastic material that vary in…
Tommy John Injury: Journey Back to Throwing after a UCL Injury
Anatomy of Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Originating on the anteroinferior surface of the medial epicondyle of the humerus and inserting onto the sublime tubercle of the ulna, the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), also known as the medial collateral ligament (MCL), is crucial in providing support to the medial aspect of the elbow by restraining valgus…
Discovering Connections Between Trigger Finger and Dupuytren’s
Discovering Connections Between Trigger Finger and Dupuytren’s By: Tayer Roost Reference: Yang, Gehring, M., Bou Zein Eddine, S., & Hettinger, P. (2019). Association between stenosing tenosynovitis and dupuytren’s contracture in the hand. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 7(1), e2088–e2088. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000002088 The Skinny: This retrospective chart review discussed the possibility of a correlation between stenosing…
5 return-to-cooking activities (that don’t require a kitchen)
Hand therapy can and should be very occupation-based. Every week, we hear comments from patients that back that statement up: “I need to get back to work” “I just want to golf again” “I can’t even open a water bottle” “My spouse has to do all of the cooking” Although standard exercises are helpful, it’s…
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.