Study questions the value of wrist splinting for carpal tunnel syndrome
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- Reviewed by Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
studyNEJM EvidenceResearchers randomly assigned 142 people with carpal tunnel syndrome to use either a rigid splint or a soft bandage that permitted full wrist motion. After 12 weeks, both groups showed minimal improvement in symptoms. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant. A similar proportion of each group - 57% of those with rigid splints and 51% of those with soft bandages - had surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve within one year.
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About the Author
Lynne Christensen, Staff Writer
About the Reviewer
Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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