The effect of botulinum toxin type A injection in decreasing intratunnel tendon tension in carpal tunnel syndrome : a randomized controlled trial for efficacy and safety

Abstract EN

Aim To evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin A on relieving the clinical symptoms caused by median nerve compression in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Patients and methods An imbalanced randomization (3 : 1) placebo-controlled parallel group study for efficacy and safety was conducted in Tanta University, Egypt.

Group I received Botox injection.

Group II received the same amount of normal saline as Botox injection and at the same injection points as group I.

All patients were subjected to clinical assessment and electrophysiological assessment of the median nerve before and after 12 weeks.

Results Highly significant improvements were noted in group I regarding clinical symptoms and electrophysiological study of the median nerve, whereas group II showed significant improvement in clinical symptoms but no improvement in the electrophysiological study, with significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion Botox injection can be used safely as a treatment option in moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.