Open AccessFinger Position Alters the Median Nerve Properties within the Carpal Tunnel: A Pre-Post MRI Comparison Study
Author(s) -
Mohammed Shaban Nadar,
Mohsen H. Dashti,
Jigimon Cherian
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0079273
Subject(s) - retinaculum , carpal tunnel syndrome , median nerve , isometric exercise , carpal tunnel , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , anatomy , wrist , nuclear medicine , surgery , radiology
Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the properties of the median nerve and the flexor retinaculum within the carpal tunnel with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) under two conditions: (a) fingers extended, and (b) fingers in an isometric squeeze grip. Methods Thirty-Four volunteers participated in this experimental study. The flexor retinaculum and median nerve characteristics were measured during both conditions using MRI. Results The isometric squeeze grip condition resulted in significant palmar bowing of the flexor retinaculum (t = 7.67, p <.001), a significant flattening-ratio of the median nerve (t = 4.308, p <.001), and no significant decrease in the cross-sectional area of the median nerve (t = 2.508, p = 0.017). Conclusion The isometric squeeze grip condition resulted in anatomical deformations within the carpal tunnel, possibly explained by the lumbrical muscles incursion into the carpal tunnel during finger flexion.