Abstract
Aim: The main objective of the study was to describe transverse and longitudinal movement of the median nerve in patients with the carpal tunnel syndrome before and with delay after open decompression of the carpal tunnel. Materials and Methods: From March 2007 to July 2009, the study enrolled a total of 72 patients with the carpal tunnel syndrome.
The examination of nerve movement was performed noninvasively by ultrasound before and several months after the surgery. Transverse nerve amplitude was measured at the level of the pisiform bone.
Longitudinal movement was measured on the forearm at a distance of 8-11 cm proximal to the wrist. The standard open surgery was performed.
Results: The mean of maximum transverse amplitude of the median nerve in our sample was 1.82 mm preoperatively and 1.76 mm postoperatively, and the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The average amplitude of the longitudinal movement of the median nerve was 3.74 mm preoperatively and 3.89 mm postoperatively, and the difference was not considered statistically significant (p > 0.05).
Conclusions: There were no statistically significant changes in transverse or longitudinal movement of the median nerve after open carpal tunnel decompression. Open decompression does not affect biomechanical parameters of the median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome patients.