Highlights
- •Non-neutral wrist positions compromise median nerve longitudinal mobility.
- •10 N radioulnar wrist compression restored nerve mobility at non-neutral position.
- •Moderate radioulnar compressive forces may help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
Abstract
Background
Carpal tunnel syndrome is an entrapment neuropathy at the wrist characterized by compromised
median nerve mobility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of
wrist position on median nerve longitudinal mobility in healthy subjects and the effect
of radioulnar wrist compression on the median nerve mobility under non-neutral wrist
positions.
Methods
Dynamic B mode ultrasound images captured longitudinal median nerve motion in the
carpal tunnel in 10 healthy subjects at wrist neutral position, 30-degree flexion,
and 30-degree extension. In each position, RWC of 0, 5, 10, and 15 N were applied.
One-way repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA), Post-hoc Tukey's tests, and
the Friedman Test were used to show the significant differences of median nerve longitudinal
mobility at different wrist positions and force conditions.
Findings
Median nerve longitudinal mobility was found to be significantly influenced by wrist
position (P < 0.05). The mobility under wrist neutral position was 3.02 mm/s, 38% higher than
under wrist flexion (2.18 ± 0.60 mm/s), and 32% higher than under wrist extension
(2.29 ± 0.43 mm/s). The impaired median nerve mobility was significantly restored
under 10 N radioulnar wrist compression (P < 0.05), by 34.4% under wrist flexion (3.03 ± 0.85 mm/s), and 38.9% under wrist extension
(3.07 ± 0.79 mm/s).
Interpretation
Non-neutral wrist positions compromise median nerve longitudinal mobility, but moderate
radioulnar compressive forces are beneficial in the recovery of median nerve longitudinal
mobility, and may help to prevent symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 29, 2022
Accepted:
August 25,
2022
Received:
February 16,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
