Should diuretics be prescribed for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome? Results of a controlled trial

Diuretics are often prescribed to treat carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) but their beneficial effect is unproven. In this double-blind controlled trial of bendrofluazide given for one month in 48 patients with the idiopathic CTS, treated and control patients showed similar clinical improvement, but the treated group showed more improvement than controls on electrophysiological tests. We conclude that bendrofluazide 5mgm daily for one month does not confer additional clinical benefit in the idiopathic CTS, but further trials with stronger diuretics and/or longer periods of treatment are warranted.