Pyridoxine Hydrochloride Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Review

It has been hypothesized that idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a manifestation of vitamin B₆ deficiency. Some claim that B ₆ supplementation can alleviate symptoms. Others argue that pain relief occurs because of vitamin B₆'s anti-nociceptive properties or because B₆ supplementation addresses an unrecognized peripheral neuropathy. Few studies on CTS and B₆ employed electrodiagnostic techniques in diagnosis, and few showed a correlation between symptoms and improved electrodiagnostic parameters with supplementation. Other studies failed to measure or estimate B₆ levels. Nevertheless, it appears reasonable to recommend vitamin B₆ supplementation to people with CTS. Some patients will improve symptomatically with low risks of toxicity in recommended doses.