C-Trac for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Conservative Therapy

The patient visits the PCP with complaints of pain, tingling and numbness in the hand. He is examined.

Initial conservative treatment for CTS consistent of NSAIDS like Motrin and Naprosyn and Resting hand splints. RHS. The combination may or may not help. The patient continues the medication and the splints for 2 weeks since research shows there is no additional benefit from using the RHS for over 2 weeks. The initial approach attempts to decrease nerve and Carpal Tunnel Inflammation.

Ideally the patient is refered to a Neurologist or Physiatrist (PMR) specialist. At this point the purpose of the physician is to confirm the diagnosis. A Test Called EMG/NCS is done. This test evaluates the Median Nerve  and the cervical spine or neck nerves to evaluate for damage or nerve impingement. At this point a diagnosis is reached and the patient is started in Physical  or Occupational therapy. Again the approach attempts to decrease inflammation.

Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists understand CTS is a Mechanical Problem in which the nerve is compressed by the Carpal Tunnel. They  do try to open the Carpal Tunnel but they are limited to office visits for their attempt to open the tunnel. Four to Six weeks of therapy are done. 

The patient is then refered to Orthopedic surgery if he has not beed refered yet. Teh surgeon will establish that Conservative therapy  was tried and failed thus the patient needs surgery. The likelyhood of having Carpal Tunnel Surgery is 53 to 129% higher if the surgeon has a financial interest in the surgery center were the surgery is to be performed.


CTS is a mechanical problem, unfortunately current conservative treatments do not alter mechanics. Current treatments attempt to control the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndorme without taking the pressure off the nerve, by addressing inflammation.NSAIDS, Injections, Resting Hand Splints, ergonomic keyboards,etc try to controls symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by immobilizing, limiting range of motion or decreasing inflammation. They do NOT attempt to increase the area of the Carpal Tunnel. Surgery does open the Carpal Tunnel. C TRAC opens the Tunnel without Surgery.

Resting hand splints
Resting hand splints are a passive treatment and do not alter mechanics. Hand splints may alleviate the symptoms, but they do not treat what is actually causing the symptoms, which is a narrow tunnel.  CTrac stretches the ligament, thus going directly to the root of the symptoms.

Research on Resting Hand splints shows it may  be benefitial for the first 2 weeks of use. After that  it may  even be detrimantal.

NSAIDs and steroid injections
NSAIDs and steroid injections decrease inflammation, but do not address the main problem, which is a narrow tunnel. They also have the problem associated with medications like stomach ulcers with NSAIDs and increase in Blood Sugar levels and stomach ulcers of Steroid injections. Both of them may help your symptoms but since the size of the tunnel is not increased you are like to have recurrence of symptoms once you stop the treatments. Then surgery?
CTrac alleviates the uncomfortable symptoms caused by the narrow tunnel by stretching the ligament and allowing the tunnel to widen. It can still be combined with the use of medication if your physician recommends it.

 ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture is occasionally used to treat CTS. Again it does not address a narrwo Carpal Tunnel and the relief is short lasting.Acupuncture works by releasing Endorphins (morphine like substance) in the spinal cord. This morphine like substance blocks the transmission of pain. The Endorphins will be dissolved/reabsorbed within a few days then the symptoms come back.
 
C TRAC is the only  current conservative treatment that  non surgically opens the Carpal Tunnel providing for decrease in pressure on the median nerve and decrease in symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.


see clinical trial results