The role of the physical therapist in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

The goal is to analyze and define the functions of a physical therapist in an interdisciplinary team in the process of physical therapy of a patient diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. Research methods. Analysis of literary sources from the scientometric databases of Physiopedia, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PEDro, MEDLINE / PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, systematic analysis, synthesis and generalization of scientific and methodological literature. Results. In light of the superiority of studies reporting the progression of surgery, physical therapists should carefully measure and evaluate the results of physical therapy to participate in the discussion of the individual management of the patient with SCI in a multi- or interdisciplinary team with the participation of surgeons and neurologists. For the conservative treatment of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, the most evidence-based interventions are patient instructions and a night orthosis. The decision to rehabilitate a patient with SCC after surgery should be based on the experience of specialists, the patient's preferences, and the context of the rehabilitation environment. Therapeutic exercises targeting muscle tendons (stretching) and neurodynamic exercises are the most reasonable for post-surgical physical therapy. Conclusions. The physical therapist has a significant influence on the decision of the multidisciplinary team regarding the choice of physical therapy technology or referral to surgical treatment, based on evidence-based methods of diagnosis, rehabilitation interventions and evaluation of their effectiveness. Also problematic is the issue of physical therapy for postoperative patients, which currently depends to a greater extent on the experience and cooperation of specialists.