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Botox May Help Alleviate Problems With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
January 16, 2003
Doctors use Botox to get rid of wrinkles. But they're also using
drugs similar to botox to treat pain. More studies show that botox helps migraines. And now carpal tunnel syndrome may be next.
Carpal tunnel syndrome had a devastating impact on Tatiana Radulesceu's
life.
"I start to lose objects, spill (chemicals)," she said.
"And as a chemist, it was a tragedy for me. Actually I think
that I lost very important jobs for it."
Pain, numbness, weakness of the hand are classic signs of carpal
tunnel syndrome. It occurs when the main nerve to the hand becomes
squeezed or pinched at the wrist.
Doctors usually prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, pain medications
or physical therapy. Some patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome
may even need surgery.
But at the Hospital for Joint Diseases, doctors are using small
amounts of botulism toxin -- or Botox -- to treat the condition.
Dr. Marco Papagallo puts a needle into just the right spot in
the wrist. He finds it by hooking up the syringe to a speaker
and listening for the clicking of the injured nerve. Then he injects
the drug.
The botulism toxin paralyzes muscles. But that may not be how
it works in carpal tunnel syndrome. Researchers think it may also
affect nerves that cause pain.
"The results that I've seen are remarkable, but at the same
time bizarre," Papagallo said. "I cannot explain it
that's why it's prompting us to carry out a study."
The results of the study aren't in yet. But Radulesceu had the
botulism injection more than a year ago, and she's convinced it
works.
"I need to have very good flexibility and touch," she
said. "Now, I have no problems. I'll keep my job."
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