Determination of median, ulnar, and radial nerve innervation patterns


FIRAT T., AYHAN Ç., KIRDI N., Leblebicioglu A. G.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY REHABILITATION-FIZYOTERAPI REHABILITASYON, cilt.22, sa.1, ss.11-16, 2011 (ESCI) identifier identifier

Özet

Purpose: Peripheral nerves show differences in histological, morphological and physiological characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine the motor, sensory and autonomic differences of median, ulnar and radial nerves clinically. Material and method: Twenty-seven patients with 11 median, nine ulnar and seven radial nerve axonotmesis type lesion located at 1/3 distal forearm participated in the study. Autonomic (transepidermal water loss, skin elasticity, temperature, and moisture), sensory (Semmes Weinstein monofilament test, twopoint discrimination, pain threshold, and tolerance) and motor (rheobase, chronaxy, and faradic test) assessments were applied to affected and unaffected extremities. Autonomic, sensory and motor assessments were performed by different physiotherapists. Results: In the unaffected side, a decreased transepidermal water loss and pain threshold and an increased rheobase and faradic test values in radial nerve were found (p<0.05). On the lesion side, decreased skin elasticity and transepidermal water loss and increased rheobase were found in radial nerve (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Radial nerve differs from median and ulnar nerves in terms of motor, sensory and autonomic functions. Recovery pattern of radial nerve may differ from median and ulnar nerve.