Ultrasound-guided needle release of the transverse carpal ligament with and without corticosteroid injection for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract Background To compare the clinical effectiveness of ultrasound-guided needle release of the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) with and without corticosteroid injection in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods From June 2016 to June 2017, 49 CTS patients (50 wrists) were included in this study. Twenty-five wrists were treated with ultrasound-guided needle release of the TCL plus corticosteroid injection (group A), and 25 wrists were treated with single ultrasound-guided needle release of the TCL (group B). The following parameters were assessed and compared including postprocedure results according to relief of symptoms, ultrasound parameters (cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the levels of pisiform, flattening ratio of median nerve at the levels of the hamate bone, and the thicknesses of TCL on the cross-section at the level of the hamate bone), and electrophysiological parameters (distal motor latency and sensory conduction velocity). Results Group A had higher overall excellent and good rate 3 months after the procedure than group B (84 vs 52%, P