Treatment > How Phystrac works
Once your doctor has established that you have carpal tunnel syndrome, the next question is: what now? In severe cases of CTS, a surgical intervention used to be the only solution. Even now, some CTS patients still undergo an operation. This can reduce the symptoms but in around 30 percent of the cases, an operation leads to little or no improvement. There is also a real risk that the patient will not regain full hand function. Luckily, there is now a much more effective and patient-friendly solution.
How does the Phystrac traction device work?
The Phystrac traction device makes clever use of gravitational force. The underarm and the elbow are kept in the right place with straps, while the strap around the wrist is attached to a weight mechanism. So traction (pulling force) can be applied very steadily to the underarm and wrist in a controlled manner. The result of this movement is that the muscles and ligaments (a band of connective tissue around a joint) involved in the CTS can relax. The pressure in the carpal tunnel decreases, so the compressed median nerve has space again and the symptoms decrease.
The treatment lasts around 10 minutes and consists of 30 tractions in three different positions. Around 70% of patients are already symptom-free after a number of treatments. A total of around 15 treatments is needed to cure a patient.
Results of the Phystrac treatment
Treatment by a physiotherapist with the Phystrac device is extremely effective in most cases. Clinical experience has shown that in mild cases of CTS, just ten to twelve treatments are enough to alleviate the symptoms. After twelve to fourteen treatments 70% of patients are (and remain) symptom-free. This also includes patients who were treated operatively at an earlier stage without result.
The treatments are reimbursed by the health insurer through the supplementary insurance for physiotherapy. For more information, you can contact your Phystrac practitioner.
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