Research into the use of stem cells for carpal tunnel syndrome is in early years. Stem cells, taken from a patient’s bone marrow, are reinjected into the carpal tunnel region to promote healing and tissue regeneration and to work in an anti-inflammatory function. As pointed out in a January 2026 study (1): “. . . preliminary investigations into stem cell injections aim to determine if regenerative cells can reverse nerve damage or promote healing of the median nerve in chronic cases of CTS.”

Other treatments 

A September 2025 study (2)  compared surgery, steroid injections, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Ninety-two wrists were treated and followed for six months using symptom and function questionnaires, pain ratings, nerve tests, and ultrasound. All treatments helped, but surgery produced the greatest overall improvement in symptoms and nerve function.

A March 2026 study (3)  investigated the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, corticosteroid injection, and wrist splinting in patients with bilateral mild carpal tunnel syndrome. Forty-five patients were divided into three groups and assessed before treatment, as well as one and six months afterward. All groups showed significant pain relief, with PRP and corticosteroid treatments providing greater improvement in nocturnal discomfort and numbness. While strength increased in all groups initially, only the PRP group maintained grip strength gains at six months, highlighting PRP’s potential for longer-term benefits.
An October 2025 (4) meta-analysis compared platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment to standard care. The study found that patients receiving PRP had notably lower symptom severity at 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment. Additionally, their functional status was significantly better at 3 and 6 months compared to those receiving conventional treatment.

References

1 Đilvesi Đ, Jelača B, Knežević A, Živanović Ž, Pantelić V, Golubović J. Evolution of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment: A Narrative Review. NeuroSci. 2026 Jan 12;7(1):10.
2 Kiratlioğlu Y, Kiratlioğlu E, Armangil M, Yoğun Y, Aksun ZÖ, Şener HÖ, Bezirgan U. Comparison of surgical treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with corticosteroid injection and platelet-rich plasma injection. Acta orthopaedica Belgica. 2025 Sep;91(3):299-307.
3 Cansever Ü, Doğan ŞK, Toslak İE, Filiz MB, Toraman NF. Comparison of the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection and steroid injection in patients with bilateral moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Injury. 2026 Jan 9:113018.
4 Du Y, Jiang X, Fu K, Cui C. Efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: A meta-analysis. Medicine. 2025 Oct 31;104(44):e45010.