Does Taking an Alpha-lipoic for 40 days after Carpal Tunnel Release decrease the likelihood of developing Pillar Pain?

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. 

pillar pain

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. 

Leave a Comment






More To Read

Top Expert Tips for Excelling in Occupational Therapy Continuing Education

June 23, 2024

Understanding Occupational Therapy Continuing Education What Is Continuing Education in Occupational Therapy? Continuing education in occupational therapy refers to structured learning activities that help occupational therapists (OTs) maintain their professional competence, expand their skillsets, and stay updated with advances in healthcare. These courses are often measured in Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or Professional Development Units…

Read More

Top 10 Powerful OT Specialty Certifications to Boost Your Career

July 7, 2024

Introduction to OT Specialty Certifications Occupational therapy (OT) continues to expand into dynamic new fields, and with that growth comes the need for specialization. Whether you’re a seasoned therapist or just starting out, pursuing OT specialty certifications can significantly boost your expertise and job opportunities. As healthcare becomes more complex in 2025, employers are increasingly…

Read More

Differentiating Proximal Median Nerve Entrapment from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

August 9, 2020

By: Brittany Day Proximal Median Nerve Entrapment, Pronator Syndrome, or Lacertus Syndrome?  Pronator syndrome is a term used to describe proximal median nerve entrapment (PMNE) in the forearm. Pronator syndrome and lacertus syndrome are sometimes used interchangeably to describe proximal median nerve entrapment distal to the ligament of Struthers and proximal to the flexor superficialis…

Read More
Envelope_1

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.