The evaluation of the effect of vitamin D replacement on the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with low vitamin D levels

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of vitamin D replacement on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms and signs in CTS patients with low vitamin D levels.

Methods: This study was designed prospective observably. The patient population was admitted to the EMG (electromyography) laboratory in a tertiary hospital’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department between 1 January and 31 July 2018.  Initially, 55 patients were included in the study. The patients were categorized into two groups as group 1 (<10 ng / ml) and group 2 (10-20 ng / ml) according to the vitamin D levels. A total of 39 patients and 63 wrists, 17 patients in group 1 (28 wrists) and 22 patients in group 2 (35 wrists), were included in the analysis.

Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in visual analogue scale and quick arm-shoulder-hand disability score in two groups when compared before treatment. In two groups, there was a significant improvement in grip and pinch strength after treatment.  At the same time, after treatment we showed that there was a statistically significant increase in median nerve sensory amplitude in two groups. The increase in median nerve sensory velocity was significant in group 2 whereas it was not statistically significant between group 1 vs group 2.

Conclusions: Vitamin D replacement can improve symptoms, functional status and electrophysiological findings in CTS patients with low vitamin D levels.