[Symptoms of the compression of median nerve in patients after fractures of the distal radius treated operatively].

Abstract

Unlabelled: As distal end of the radius is anatomically localised close to the carpal tunnel, fractures of this part of the bone is fairly commonly associated with symptoms typical for median nerve compression. The objective of the study was to assess frequency of the occurrence of these symptoms in patients after operative treatment of the fractures of the distal radius, and, additionally to evaluate the validity and specificity of the Levine questionnaire in the detection of symptoms of median nerve compression.

Patients and methods: In 101 patients, at a mean of 9 weeks after surgery for fracture of the distal radius, the following variables were assessed: 1) pain intensity in visual analogue scale as well as 2) complaints and functional impairment of the hand typical for carpal tunnel syndrome with the Levine questionnaire.

Results: Pain intensity in the affected hand averaged 2.8 points in 0-10 scale, the Levine symptom score amounted a mean of 2.1 (range 1.0-3.7) and the Levine function score amounted a mean of 2.1 (range 1.0-5.0). Nine patients had score at least 3 in both symptom and function sub-scales of the Levine form, suggesting carpal tunnel syndrome. However, at the assessment at a mean of 15 months thereafter, none of these patients were treated for carpal tunnel syndrome, although, five of them still suffered from similar symptoms. The results of this study show transient character of compressions symptoms on the median nerve In patients after fractures of the distal radius, and, moreover, suggest poor validity and specificity of the Levine questionnaire as the diagnostic tool in suspicion of carpal tunnel syndrome associated with other diseases and injuries of the hand.