Winback Tecar therapy in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome
Blog Sausport
Carpal tunnel syndrome results from compression of the median nerve as it passes under the flexor retinaculum of the wrist in an osteofibrous canal. If sustained or repeated, this compression changes the microcirculation in the areas surrounding the nerve’s connective tissue (epineurium, perineurium, endoneurium), eventually resulting in venous stasis or intrafascicular oedema that alters axonal transport in the median nerve. This article explains how Winback Tecar therapy can relieve the symptoms; see also the Tecar therapy guide.
This form of compressive neuropathy is extremely widespread, affecting 8% of the world population, with a prevalence of 5.8% among women.
Diagnosis is essentially clinical: first through a questionnaire, followed by a check of superficial sensitivity and a positive response to provocative manoeuvres.
This increase in pressure in the carpal tunnel can be explained by the nature of its anatomy, abnormal synovial tissue, overuse of the wrist or hormonal changes (during pregnancy, postpartum or perimenopause) – factors that explain its prevalence among women.
Compression of the nerve, which will impair its movement, can be direct, leading to damage to the myelin sheath or the axon, or indirect, resulting from compression of the nerve’s vascular system. The resulting symptoms are reduced nerve conduction, paraesthesia and pain around the sensory area of the median nerve.
How can symptoms be relieved with Winback Tecar therapy?
Goals should be set after a differential diagnosis. Treatment with Winback Tecar therapy makes it possible to treat the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and thus delay surgical treatment for as long as possible.
Which symptoms can be treated with Winback Tecar therapy, and how?
Improve microcirculation in the areas surrounding the nerve’s connective tissue: CET with strong diathermy
Reduce venous stasis or intrafascicular oedema: Dynamic CET with light diathermy on the carpus and a higher vascular application using strong diathermy
Improve the physiology of the elements that make up the osteofibrous tunnel and, in particular, the retinaculum: RET with strong diathermy and manual work with the RET wristbands
Restore neural mobilisation of the median nerve: option 2.0 with a return plate on the arm positioned next to the median nerve (anterior side) and the RET wristband around the metacarpals to optimise neurodynamic treatment
Winback Tecar therapy after carpal tunnel surgery
In severe cases, surgery is unavoidable to relieve compression of the median nerve, by opening the anterior transverse carpal ligament.
If the nerve has been compressed for a long time, it is not uncommon for hypoaesthesia or pain to persist afterwards. In these cases, revascularisation of the nerve with Winback Tecar therapy in CET mode provides postoperative analgesia, controlling the paraesthesia that may result from the release of the compression.
Scar treatment with Winback Tecar therapy will also be relevant to prevent scar-related conditions.
