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Pulsed Radiofrequency Versus Hyaluronidase Hydrodissection for Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Comparison of Ultrasound Guided Pulsed Radiofrequency Versus Hyaluronidase Hydrodissection for Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07269613
Enrollment
56
Registered
2025-12-08
Start date
2025-12-31
Completion date
2026-07-31
Last updated
2025-12-09

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Keywords

pulsed radiofrequency versus hyaluronidase hydrodissection for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

Brief summary

The aim of this study is to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency and hyaluronidase hydrodissection in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. This research seeks to evaluate both techniques in terms of pain relief, functional improvement, nerve conduction parameters, and potential complications, in order to identify the more effective minimally invasive approach for managing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Interventions

PROCEDUREPulsed Radiofrequency

Pulsed Radiofrequency: Top neuropole needle 100-mm with a 10-mm active tip will be advanced with ultrasound guidance using the in-plane technique towards the median nerve. Sensory and motor stimulation will be tested when the needle is close to the median nerve. During sensory stimulation (50 Hz; 1-ms pulsed width; 0-3.0 volt), the patients will report paresthesia in the distal fingers. After performing a motor stimulation (2 Hz; 1-ms pulsed width; 0-3.0 volt), contractions of the thenar muscle will be observed. PRF lesion will then be carried out for 6 min, pulse width of 5 MS, 5 pulses per second and 35 volts at 42°C.

PROCEDUREHyaluronidase Hydrodissection

Hyaluronidase Hydrodissection: The patient will sit facing the examiner with the forearm supinated and semiflexed at 90°, and the wrist placed on the examination couch with semi extended fingers. The injection for a 5 mL volume of HD 1500 IU will be done under complete sterile conditions. A 26-gauge needle will be introduced from the lateral side toward the midline, using the in-plane approach to target the median nerve in the carpal tunnel using the ulnar approach. Ultrasonographic visualization of the needle tip will be continuous, the injection was done gradually, and the needle will be advanced dissecting the flexor retinaculum away from the median nerve via gradual drug infiltration.

Sponsors

Sohag University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Adults aged 20-80 years 2. Clinical diagnosis of CTS with symptoms for at least 3 months 3. Electrophysiological evidence of mild to moderate CTS 4. No previous intervention for CTS in the affected hand

Exclusion criteria

1. Previous wrist surgery or trauma 2. Medical history of polyneuropathy, thoracic outlet syndrome, or brachial plexopathy 3. Coagulopathy or local infection at injection site 4. Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Onset time of significant pain relief1 monthThe VAS will be used to quantify pain on the scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (extremely severe pain). Onset time will be defined as the day when the VAS score declined by 40% or more

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ)1 week and 1, 3, 6 monthsBCTQ is the most used questionnaire in clinical studies for evaluation of the symptom severity and functional status of patients with CTS \[9\]. Symptom severity is rated based on 11 questions scored from 1 point (mildest) to 5 points (most severe), and the functional status is evaluated with 8 questions scored from 1 point (no difficulty with activity) to 5 points (cannot perform the activity at all)
Cross-sectional area (CSA)baseline and then at 1-, 3-, and 6-monthsCSA of the median nerve will be measured at the proximal inlet of the carpal tunnel (at the level of the pisiform bone) by the same physician. The patients hold their wrists in a neutral position with the palm up and the fingers semi-extended. CSA will be measured three times, and the mean will be used for the analysis. Typically, a CSA greater than 9-10 mm2 at the wrist is considered suggestive of carpal tunnel syndrome. The ultrasonographic evaluation of median nerve CSA has high sensitivity (89%) and specificity (83%) for the diagnosis of CTS. This will be done at baseline and then at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-injection. All measurements will be performed three times, and the mean of the three measurements was used for further statistical analyses
Sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV)baseline and 1, 3, and 6months post-injectionThe antidromic SNCV of the median nerve will be measured in all subjects. All examinations will be performed by the same physician in the same room maintained at a constant temperature of 25°C. Skin temperature on the hand and wrist will be maintained between 32.0 and 34.0°C. Active and reference ring electrodes will be placed over the 2nd proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. The median nerve will be stimulated at the wrist between the palmar longus and flexor carpal radialis tendon at approximately 14 cm from the active electrode. will performed at baseline and 1, 3, and 6months post-injection.

Countries

Egypt

Contacts

Primary ContactAmany Mahmoud Mohamed, resident
amany_mahmoud_post@med.sohag.edu.eg01095062277

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026