Enhancement in median nerve mobility during radioulnar wrist compression in carpal tunnel syndrome patients.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a compression neuropathy at the wrist associated with compromised median nerve mobility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of radioulnar wrist compression on median nerve longitudinal mobility within the carpal tunnel in carpal tunnel syndrome patients as well as healthy subjects.

Methods: Dynamic ultrasound images captured longitudinal median nerve motion in the carpal tunnel during radioulnar wrist compression force application in 11 healthy subjects and 11 carpal tunnel syndrome patients.

Findings: We found that median nerve mobility was not significantly affected by radioulnar wrist compression in healthy subjects (P = 0.34), but improved by 10 N radioulnar wrist compression in carpal tunnel syndrome patients (P < 0.05). Analysis of segmental median nerve mobility in carpal tunnel syndrome patients showed significantly improved mobility in the proximal tunnel section under 10 N radioulnar wrist compression force condition compared to the no compression condition (P < 0.05).

Interpretation: Moderate radioulnar wrist compression force application helps restore impaired median nerve mobility and may be effective in improve nerve function and symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.