Incidence of Upper Extremity Nerve Entrapments In Veterans With Major Limb Amputations
Abstract
The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the prevalence and severity of upper extremity nerve entrapment syndromes in a sample of veterans with lower limb amputations. Twenty participants were recruited at the 2008 National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. All study participants provided written informed consent and completed a questionnaire which included symptomotology, past medical history, time since amputation, medication history, assistive technology history, and wheelchair information. A physical exam was performed on each subject to assess for thenar/hypothenar atrophy, deep tendon reflexes, strength testing, sensory testing with pinprick and light touch, Tinel's test at the elbow and wrist, and Phalen's test. All nerve conduction studies were performed by American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine certified physiatrists. A total of 20 subjects (19 male and 1 female) with a mean age of 59+13 years were enrolled in the study. A total of 16/20 (80%0 subjects had electrodiagnostic findings consistent with median neuropathy across the wrist (26/38 affected limbs, 6 subjects with unilateral and 10 subjects with bilateral findings), and 14/20 (70%) subjects had ulnar entrapment neuropathy across the elbow (22/38 affected limbs, 6 subjects with unilateral and 8 subjects with bilateral findings). Several subjects (6/20, 30%) were found to have electrodiagnostic evidence of ulnar entrapment neuropathy across the wrist (10/38 affected limbs, 2 unilateral and 4 bilateral findings). Although this was a pilot study, we identified a high number of veterans with nerve entrapment syndromes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA534907
Entities
People
- Rory A. Cooper