Does the Diacutaneous Fibrolysis Change Ultrasonographic Measurements in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common entrapment neuropathy caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist.Clinically electroneuphysiological assessment is not accessible to all clinicians. In this way ultrasounds (US) is a more accessible and economical tool and many studies have reported that US has high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of CTS.Diacutaneous Fibrolysis (DF) is a physiotherapeutic technique derived from Cyriax deep friction massage principles.DF technique could assist in improving changes in the connective tissues adjacent to the median nerve, especially the thickness of TCL and this could be reflected in a decreasing of TCL. Moreover, the neurophysiological and mechanical effect described by this technique may improve the nerve compression decreasing the CSA of the median nerve.

The purpose of this study is to quantify changes in the cross-sectional area of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel and the thickness of transversal carpal ligament measured by US and the changes in the intensity of the numbness and the subjective assessment of clinical change after DF treatment in forearm, wrist and hand area compared to placebo.