This study applies the regenerative properties of autologous fat transfer to treat mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome in comparison to the current standard of care, corticosteroid treatment. The investigators hypothesize the fat transfer would prevent scar formation and aid in nerve excursion along the canal (while the neoangiogenic and regenerative growth factors could stimulate nerve regeneration) better than the standard of care treatment.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy affecting up to 13% of Americans; CTS is caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel leading to nerve ischemia and symptoms of numbness, pain, and tingling. Treatment options depend on the severity of symptoms and range from noninvasive options (most commonly, steroid injections) to definitive surgical release of the compressed median nerve. Both non-invasive techniques and surgical intervention have their shortcomings; thus a novel approach for CTS treatment may be indicated. Lipografting is an established, validated, and widely used technique of plastic surgeons that injects autologous fat to correct contour deformities. From observing these reconstructions, plastic surgeons have witnessed the regenerative properties of fat transfer, specifically delaying the affects of chronic radio-dermatitis. These clinical manifestations have fostered numerous studies defining fat as a rich source of pluripotent stem cells with the potential for reducing scar formation, bringing neo-angiogenesis, and providing a barrier against scar adhesions This study applies the regenerative properties of autologous fat transfer to treat mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome in comparison to the current standard of care, corticosteroid treatment. Ideally, the fat transfer would prevent scar formation and aid in nerve excursion along the canal, while the neoangiogenic and regenerative growth factors could stimulate nerve regeneration.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
100
Used by plastic surgeons, lipografting injects autologous fat to correct contour deformities. Plastic surgeons have witnessed the regenerative properties of fat transfer, and these clinical manifestations have fostered numerous studies defining fat as a rich source of pluripotent stem cells with the potential for reducing scar formation, bringing neo-angiogenesis, and providing a barrier against scar adhesions. This study applies the regenerative properties of autologous fat transfer to treat mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome in comparison to the current standard of care, corticosteroid treatment. Ideally, fat transfer would prevent scar formation and aid in nerve excursion along the canal, while the neoangiogenic and regenerative growth factors stimulate nerve regeneration.
Standard of care non-operative treatment for the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
New York, New York, United States
Functional Outcome Score
This score will be determined by Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH), which is a validated tool/survey for measuring upper extremity disability. The QuickDASH is scored in two components: the disability/symptom section (11 items, scored 1-5) and the optional high performance sport/music or work modules (4 items, scored 1-5). These raw scores are used to calculate a score out of 100, with a higher score indicating greater disability.
Time frame: Up to 1 year post-treatment
Score on the Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ)
The MHQ is hand-specific outcomes instrument that measures outcomes of patients with conditions of, or injury to, the hand or wrist. In the pain scale, high scores indicate greater pain, while in the other five scales, high scores denote better hand performance.
Time frame: Up to 1 year post-treatment
Score on the Brigham Women's Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire
Brigham Women's Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire is a validated tool for measuring severity of symptoms for carpal tunnel syndrome. The questionnaire is self-administered, with each item scored from 1 to 5 (where 1 indicates no symptoms or no functional difficulty, and 5 indicates maximum symptoms or an inability to perform the functional task).
Time frame: Up to 1 year post-treatment
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.