Influence of Injection Volume on Rate of Subsequent Intervention in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Over 1-Year Follow-Up

Abstract

Purpose: The optimal volume and dose of corticosteroid injections for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) have not yet been established. It is unknown whether the volume of injectate influences the outcome of carpal tunnel injection. The purpose of this study was to assess whether there is an association between the volume of injectate and subsequent intervention in the treatment of CTS.

Methods: This study evaluated residents of Olmsted County, MN, who were treated with a corticosteroid injection for CTS between 2001 and 2010. Failure of treatment was the primary outcome, defined as a subsequent intervention: either a second injection or carpal tunnel release within 1 year of initial injection. General estimating equations logistic regression was used to assess the association between injectate volume and rate of treatment failure, adjusting for age, sex, effective dose of steroid, type of steroid injected, electrodiagnostic severity, and the presence of comorbidities such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and radiculopathy.

Results: There were 856 affected hands in 651 patients. A total of 56% (n = 484) of treated hands received subsequent treatment within 1 year. Multivariable analysis showed that a larger injectate volume was significantly associated with reduced rate of treatment failure within 1 year. Rheumatoid arthritis and ultrasound-guided procedures were also associated with a reduced rate of treatment failure, whereas severe electrodiagnostic results were associated with an increased rate of failure.

Conclusions: This study showed that a larger volume of corticosteroid injection is associated with reduced odds of subsequent intervention after a single corticosteroid injection in CTS. Further research is needed to determine the optimal volume for steroid injections in the treatment of CTS.

Type of study/level of evidence: Prognostic IV.

Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome; corticosteroid injection; reintervention; volume.