Research Plus

Carpal tunnel post-operative rehab

There is limited and low-quality evidence on the safety and effectiveness of different rehabilitation interventions following carpal tunnel release (CTR) surgery, according to this updated Cochrane systematic review. Six of the 22 included studies addressed return to work (RTW). Interventions included wrist immobilisation, dressings, exercise, controlled cold therapy, laser therapy, electrical modalities, scar desensitisation and arnica. There were only small and non-significant differences between treatments for most of the outcomes, including RTW. People who have undergone CTR need to be informed about the limited evidence for the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions.

 

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016; 2: CD004158. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004158.pub3. 

Tags evidence based practice Return to work rsi - repetitive strain injury

Occupational Health at Work April/May 2016 (vol. 12/6) pp40