Addition of Tendon Gliding Exercises to Conservative Physiotherapy Management Improves Hand Function in patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): A Case Study
Introduction
The incidence of CTS is reported to be between 2.7% and 5.8%. The most common symptoms are pain and parasthesia of fingers, which occur secondary to impairments of median nerve functions; CTS can have negative effect on patient’s quality of life.
Hands have a variety of functions, including Activities of Daily Living and Job performance. These functions can be restricted by CTS, a compressive neuropathy of the median nerve that occurs within the carpal tunnel at the wrist.
Conservative treatment options include splinting specific exercises, paraffin therapy, medications and therapeutic Ultrasound.
Addition of Tendon Gliding exercises with conservative therapy has favorable effects, symptoms severity decreases and functional status improves.
Subjects and Method
A 25 year old with diagnosed CTS, had tingling sensation in index as well as the thumb, positive phalan’s test. He had difficulty working for long hours. The patient was given combination of Tendon Gliding exercises and Conservative Therapy for 5 sessions in a span of 6 weeks.
– Grip strength -hand held dynamometer
– Hand function -Sollerman Hand Function Test
Pain- VAS scale
Subject was assessed on the first and the fifth session.
Management and Outcome
The patient should good adherence to the treatment and achieved the desired goal within 6 weeks of therapy. The patient showed improvement in pain, strength and hand
functions. Tendon gliding exercises with conservative treatment was effective in improving clinical symptoms in patients with CTS.
Discussion
Several recent pieces of literature state tendon gliding exercise as an alternative intervention in conservative management of CTS. Tendon gliding exercise and Conservative exercise program can be applied by performing several movements of the hands and wrists. This Exercise Program was carried out for 5 sessions and after 6 weeks of close monitoring and guidance of a combined training program. Overall, the results of this case report for CTS-related disorders and clinical symptoms showed significant results for improving hand function in CTS patients.
Conclusion
A combination of tendon gliding exercise with Conservative Physiotherapy Management is effective for improving hand function in CTS patients.
