THE CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME :ANESTHETIC VERSUS OTHER NON-SURGICAL TREATMENTS FOR PAIN REDUCTION AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT

Abstract

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) corresponds to 90% of all compressive neuropathies. In conservative treatment, anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids can offer long-term risks, requiring alternative methods. The aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness of anesthetics and other non-surgical treatments for anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in patients with CTS. In this systematic review, a bibliographic search in electronic media was carried out in the following virtual databases: Medical Publisher, Virtual Health Library, World Wide Science and Science Direct. The Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) in the English language were used: "CarpalTunnelSyndrome", "Steroid", "Anesthetics", "Anti-InflammatoryAgents, Non-Steroidal". The GRADE system was used to assess the quality of the evidence. 5 studies were included, totalizing 363 diagnosed patients. Patients who received anesthetics reported improvement in pain and burning symptoms. Lidocaine 5% got similar results either in the form of plaster or infiltration. No evidence proves the superiority of Procaine over Lidocaine. Anesthetics have obtained similar results to other approaches. The therapeutic properties of anesthetics may be associated with an increase in nitric oxide transmitted by blocking sodium channels, increasing local circulation due to vasodilation. In hip osteoarthritis and in shoulder diseases that go with chronic pain, treatment with anesthetics is also a therapeutic option and is widespread. The study concludes whether patients treated with anesthetics have improved in pain and inflammation, and there were no differences when compared to those receiving corticosteroids or anti-inflammatory drugs.