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Use of Arnica to relieve pain after carpal-tunnel release surgery.
Altern Ther Health Med. 2002 Mar-Apr;8(2):66-8. PMID: 11892685
Department of Plastic Surgery of Queen Victoria Hospital in West Sussex, England.
CONTEXT: Arnica is commonly used by the public as a treatment for bruising and swelling.
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether Arnica administration affects recovery from hand surgery.
DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized comparison of Arnica administration versus placebo.
SETTING: Specialist hand surgery unit at the Queen Victoria NHS Trust.
PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-seven patients undergoing bilateral endoscopic carpal-tunnel release between June 1998 and January 2000.
INTERVENTION: Homeopathic Arnica tablets and herbal Arnica ointment compared to placebos.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Grip strength, wrist circumference, and perceived pain measured 1 and 2 weeks after surgery.
RESULTS: No difference in grip strength or wrist circumference was found between the 2 groups. However, there was a significant reduction in pain experienced after 2 weeks in the Arnica-treated group (P<.03).
CONCLUSIONS: The role of homeopathic and herbal agents for recovery after surgery merits further investigation.
