A pulsed electrical joint stimulator for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hand and wrist

The hand is commonly affected by osteoarthritis (OA). The development and progression of OA are believed to involve inflammation, even in the early stages of the disease. Inflammatory and proinflammatory cytokines have also been shown to be elevated in the flexor tenosynovium of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). A large percentage of patients with hand OA also have a concomitant CTS. This study evaluated the results of a pulsed electrical joint stimulator in patients who had hand OA with or without CTS. Pain, tenderness, and swelling; grip strength and pinch force; and Patient and Physician Global Assessment and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) results were evaluated. The primary efficacy outcome was pain due to OA in the study hand in the past 48 hours. Secondary outcomes consisted of OA pain in the study thumb in the past 48 hours, grip strength, pinch force, and Patient and Physician Global Assessment and DASH results. All 7 outcome parameters improved in OA patients. On physical examination, individual finger and wrist joints had also improved regarding pain, swelling, and tenderness. In the subset of patients with CTS, CTS pain, paresthesia, weakness, and all CTS symptoms had significantly improved. Patient and Physician Global Assessment and DASH results and pinch force were also significantly improved. This pulsed electrical joint stimulator is effective in providing clinically relevant and statistically significant reductions in the signs and symptoms of OA of the hand and CTS. It could be a useful modality for the treatment of patients who have one of these conditions or both.