Finger Position Alters the Median Nerve Properties within the Carpal Tunnel: A Pre-Post MRI Comparison Study |
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| Authors: | Mohammed Shaban Nadar Mohsen H Dashti Jigimon Cherian |
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| Institution: | 1. Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait University, Jabriah, Kuwait.; 2. Radiologic Sciences Department, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait University, Jabriah, Kuwait.; 3. Department of Clinical Radiology, Al-Sabah Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuwait.; Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, United States of America, |
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| Abstract: | PurposeThe 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.MethodsThirty-Four volunteers participated in this experimental study. The flexor retinaculum and median nerve characteristics were measured during both conditions using MRI.ResultsThe 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).ConclusionThe 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. |
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