Korean J Anesthesiol.  2005 Jun;48(6):666-670. 10.4097/kjae.2005.48.6.666.

The Effect of Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A report of 4 cases

• Park JS
• Park BS
• Lee YJ

• KMID: 2238932
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2005.48.6.666

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common peripheral nerve entrapment syndrome that is characterized by pain, sensory disturbance along the distribution of the median nerve in hands, thenar muscle atrophy, and cervical radiculopathy. Diagnosis mainly depends upon careful examination and symptomatology, because laboratory and radiological tests are unhelpful. Treatments have included wrist immobilization, anti-imflammatory drug, local injection of steroid, nerve block and surgical decompression. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a type of neuropathic pain caused by denervation supersensitivity, and intramuscular stimulation (IMS) is a treatment modality for neuropathic pain. Here, we used IMS for the treatment of 4 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. After IMS, most patients did not feel numbness or a tingling sensation and results were satisfactory. Therefore, we recommand IMS as a treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Keyword

carpal tunnel syndrome; intramuscular stimulation; median nerve; neuropathic pain

MeSH Terms

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome*
Decompression, Surgical
Denervation
Diagnosis
Hand
Humans
Hypesthesia
Immobilization
Median Nerve
Muscular Atrophy
Nerve Block
Neuralgia
Peripheral Nerves
Radiculopathy
Sensation
Wrist