Premium
Ultrasound therapy facilitates the recovery of acute pressure‐induced conduction block of the median nerve in rabbits
Author(s) -
Paik NamJong,
Cho SooHun,
Han Tai Ryoon
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.10209
Subject(s) - medicine , carpal tunnel syndrome , ultrasound , median nerve , anesthesia , saline , compound muscle action potential , carpal tunnel , compression (physics) , blood pressure , surgery , electrophysiology , radiology , materials science , composite material
Abstract Though the use of ultrasound for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or compression neuropathy has been described, its effect remains controversial. A test model of acute CTS was developed using rabbits. Acute median nerve compression was induced by the infusion of saline into the carpal tunnel under general anesthesia to elevate the intracarpal pressure. A reduction in the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude of the abductor pollicis was noted after intracarpal pressure increased. To investigate the efficacy of ultrasound in acute CTS, rabbits with acute median nerve compression were divided into 3 groups (10 each) and ultrasound was applied at different intensities to each group as follows: 1.5 W/cm 2 to group 1; 0.2 W/cm 2 to group 2; 0.0 W/cm 2 (sham) to group 3. A total of 10 treatment sessions were given over a period of 2 weeks. Following ultrasound application, the CMAP amplitudes showed significant improvement in group 1 compared to the other two groups ( P < 0.05), indicating facilitated recovery from acute CTS in this pressure‐induced median nerve compression rabbit model. The benefits of ultrasound application in a clinical setting must be verified by further clinical trials. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 26: 356–361, 2002