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Longitudinal Sliding of the Median Nerve in Patients with Carpal Tunnel SyndromeFrom the Department of Physiology, University College London, Gower Street, London, UK and Departments of Rheumatology and Orthopaedics, University College Hospitals Trust, London, UK Correspondence: Dr Bruce Lynn, Department of Physiology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. Tel.: +20-7679-7334;Fax: +20-7383-7005; E-mail: b.lynn{at}ucl.ac.uk. In nerve compression syndromes restricted nerve sliding may lead to increased strain, possibly contributing to symptoms. Ultrasound was used to examine longitudinal median nerve sliding in 17 carpal tunnel syndrome patients and 19 controls during metacarpophalangeal joint movement. Longitudinal movement in the forearm averaged 2.62 mm in controls and was not significantly reduced in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients (mean=2.20 mm). In contrast, CTS patients had a 40% reduction in transverse nerve movement at the wrist on the most, compared to least, affected side and nerve areas were enlarged by 34%. Normal longitudinal sliding in the patients indicates that nerve strain is not increased and will not contribute to symptoms.
Key Words: carpal tunnel syndrome • ultrasound imaging • nerve • biomechanics
Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume), Vol. 28, No. 5,
439-443 (2003) |
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