A Prospective Cohort Study: Platelet-Rich Plasma Combined with Carpal Tunnel Release Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome short (running) title: PRP-CTR Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Background: PRP injection was proved to promote the health condition of individuals with mild to moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). However, carpal tunnel release (CTR) was still an important treatment for individuals with moderate, as well as severe CTS. Methods To explore whether adjuvant PRP treatment would improve the prognosis while using CTR, we included 82 patients in this study. Preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS), Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire-symptom severity scale (BCTQ-SSS), Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire-functional status scale (BCTQ-FSS), and grip strength was used to examine the patient's symptoms and function. Results CTR combined with PRP treatment improved the VAS (1.9 ± 0.5 versus 1.4 ± 0.4, P < .05), BCTQ-SSS (1.8 ± 0.4versus 1.5 ± 0.3, P < .05) and BCTQ-FSS (1.8 ± 0.5 versus 1.4 ± 0.6, P < .05) in patients with moderate symptoms within one month after surgery. At the same time, it does not show any advantages in treating individuals with severe carpal tunnel syndrome. Conclusions The use of PRP does not affect long-term prognosis while increasing the surgery cost. To conclude, PRP as an adjuvant treatment of CTR has limited effect. Considering the additional financial burden on patients, CTR combined with PRP should be cautious in CTS treatment.