Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, including details on symptoms, causes, trauma, diagnosis, physiotherapy.

Sensory nerve conduction velocities of median, ulnar and radial nerves in patients with vibration syndrome.

Hirata M, Sakakibara H

Japan National Institute of Industrial Health and Safety, Nagao 6-21-1, Tama-ku, 214-8585, Kawasaki, Japan, hirata@h.jniosh.go.jp.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to clarify the range of involvement for hand-arm vibration syndrome (VS) in the median, ulnar and radial nerves of the hand. METHODS: Sensory nerve conduction velocities (SCVs) for 3 nerves in the hands and arms were examined for 34 patients with VS and 23 age-matched controls. Neuropathy types were classified by possible carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), Guyon's syndrome and digital neuropathy in three nerves. RESULTS: SCV in the median nerve (middle finger, wrist-elbow) and ulnar nerve (little finger, wrist-elbow), and amplitudes of the median nerve (wrist-proximal and distal parts of the middle finger), ulnar nerve (wrist-proximal and distal parts of the little finger; forearm-proximal part of the little finger; upper arm-proximal part of the little finger) and radial nerve (dorsal side of the hand-thumb) were significantly reduced in VS patients compared with controls. According to subject classifications based on the results of SCV and amplitude of nerve action potential, 52.9% of VS patients displayed multi-focal neuropathy including digital neuropathy, possible CTS and/or Guyon's syndrome. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that VS affects all three nerves in the hand. According to classification results, the main disorders of peripheral nerves comprise digital neuropathy.

Published 22 January 2007 in Int Arch Occup Environ Health, 80(4): 273-80.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Research Today. All Rights Reserved.