|
 |
|
What Type of Treatments
are Available for CTD's?
- FLEXTEND®:
The average success rate is higher than 90% of users
experiencing 95-100% relief in 4-8 weeks. Continued
use of FLEXTEND® is necessary in order to maintain
results, but with limited effort of 5-minutes, 2-3
days per week, symptoms will be completely eliminated.
- Splinting and anti-inflammatory
medications can often alleviate symptoms,
but may take months to do so Failure rate is 81.6%
(Including "partial success as failure")
in total alleviation of symptoms. Curative rate following
treatment is 18.4%. Source: Kaplan, et al, 1990.
J Hand Surgery.
- Steroid injections
into the wrist may be prescribed. Failure rate is
72.6% after 1-year follow up (Including "partial
success" as failure) Source: Irwin, et al.
J Hand Surgery.
- Surgery
may be required to open the carpal tunnel to relieve
pressure on the nerve. Surgery is not too effective
for complete elimination of the symptoms because it
addresses the symptoms of the injury, not the actual
cause of the injury. Average is a 57% failure rate
following patients from 1-day to 6-years. At least
one of the following symptoms re-occurred during this
time: Pain, Numbness, Tingling sensations. Source:
Nancollas, et al, 1995. J Hand Surgery.
- Eliminate
direct stress or excess use of the affected
area until you are able to begin an exercise strengthening
and stretching program. Strengthening and stretching
the involved joints and their muscles will help create
balance between the muscle groups in the hand/forearm,
reduce atrophy of the muscle tissue and prevent re-injury
of the same area in the future.
- Cold and
hot baths (contrast baths) may be recommended
by a physical or occupational therapist, and is a
good tool to use in conjunction with the strengthening
and stretching program to help speed recovery. Contrast
baths are usually a ratio of 3-min. hot followed by
1-min. of cold. Always end with the 1-min of cold.
Alternate 3x in a row, 3x daily.
| |
|
 | |
|
|
|
