CompletedNot Applicable

Corticosteroid Injection Effectiveness in Carpel Tunnel Patients With Negative or Mild EMG Studies

United States61 participantsStarted 2020-12-23

Plain-language summary

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common nerve entrapment syndrome worldwide. There are currently no studies examining the effectiveness of corticosteroid injections in patients with normal (negative) EMG studies. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the duration of symptom improvement post corticosteroid injection in patients with negative or mild EMG studies. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire will be given to patients undergoing corticosteroid injections for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome to assess their response to the injection. Investigators will collect data retrospectively. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) is administered as per standard protocol to all patients with CTS who have a negative or mild EMG study. The BCTQ assesses the patient's self-reported symptom severity and functional status. Investigators will analyze this data with respect to demographics as well as numbness in the median n. distribution, nocturnal numbness, weakness/atrophy of the thenar musculature, Tinel's sign, Phalen's test, loss of 2-point discrimination, Quick-Dash score, and grip strength score. The primary outcome will be the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire outcome score under the different EMG conditions.The secondary outcomes will be numbness in the median n. distribution, nocturnal numbness, weakness/atrophy of the thenar musculature, Tinel's sign, Phalen's test, loss of 2-point discrimination, QuickDash score, and grip strength score. Both outcomes will be examined in patients with negative or mild EMG readings. This information will allow orthopedic physicians to gain a better understanding of the duration of symptom improvement post-corticosteroid injection, allowing them to fine tune their treatment plans for CTS patients.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients who speak English * Patients who are 18 years or older * Patients who are clinically diagnosed with CTS * Patients who have a negative or mild EMG study * Patients who receive a corticosteroid injection after obtaining a negative or mild EMG study Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who do not speak English * Patients who are younger than 18 years of age * Patients who have experienced previous trauma to the wrist * Patients who have had previous treatment for CTS including but not limited to corticosteroid injection or surgery * Patients with a moderate or severe EMG study

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Boston Carpel Tunnel Questionnaire

Timeframe: Dec 23 2020-Dec 22 2021

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04737239

SponsorHenry Ford Health System

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2026-03-22

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Carpal Tunnel Syndrome trials