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Effect of shoulder and elbow position on ulnar nerve conduction
Author(s) -
Hsu Kevin,
Robinson Lawrence R.
Publication year - 2019
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.26489
Subject(s) - elbow , ulnar nerve , medicine , elbow flexion , anatomy , asymptomatic , position (finance) , nerve conduction velocity , ulnar neuropathy , orthodontics , surgery , finance , economics
The aims of this study were to determine the effect of shoulder and elbow position on ulnar nerve conduction studies (NCS), and the length of reserve that asymptomatic individuals have in their ulnar nerves. Methods Healthy subjects ( n = 22) underwent ulnar NCS in 4 positions of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion. Results The mean increase in nerve conduction velocity (NCV) from the slack position of shoulder adducted and elbow extended to the stretch position of shoulder abducted and elbow flexed was 2.9 m/s ( P < 0.01). Using this difference, the mean length of reserve in the ulnar nerve along the limb was found to be 28.3 (SD=13.8) mm. Shoulder abduction increased the mean NCV 0.8 m/s ( P = 0.03) independent of elbow flexion. Conclusions This study demonstrates an ulnar nerve reserve in healthy patients that is taken up with shoulder abduction and elbow flexion and suggests shoulder position should be standardized during ulnar NCS. Muscle Nerve , 2019