OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of endoscopic-assisted median nerve decompression with one-stage extensor indicis proprius (EIP) tendon transfer for reconstruction of thumb abduction in patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS: The clinical data of 12 patients with severe CTS who met the selection criteria between December 2019 and December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 2 males and 10 females with an average age of 55.4 years ranging from 35 to 67 years. The symptom duration of CTS was 12-120 months (mean, 48.7 months) and the thenar muscle atrophy duration was 6-48 months (mean, 13.4 months). The median nerve was released with the help of endoscope, and the EIP tendon was transferred to reconstruct the abduction function of the thumb. The operation time and complications were recorded. Two-point discrimination, palmar abduction angle of the thumb, radial abduction angle of the thumb, and pinch force of the thumb were measured and compared before operation and at last follow-up, and the effectiveness was evaluated by Kapandji score and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. The satisfaction of the operation was evaluated at last follow-up. RESULTS: All surgeries were successfully completed with a mean operation time of 54 minutes (range, 45-68 minutes). All patients were followed up 6-50 months, with an average of 15.3 months. There was no complications such as wound infection, scar pain of wrist, or tendon rupture of transposition, and there were 3 cases of mild limitation of finger extension in the donor site of index finger. At last follow-up, two-point discrimination, palmar abduction angle of the thumb, radial abduction angle of the thumb, Kapandji score, and DASH score were significantly better than those before operation ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in thumb pinch force between pre- and post-operation ( P>0.05). The evaluation of surgical satisfaction showed that 7 cases were very satisfied and 5 cases were satisfied. CONCLUSION The combination of endoscopic-assisted median nerve decompression and one-stage EIP tendon transfer effectively improves hand function and quality of life in patients with severe CTS by restoring thumb abduction and alleviating neurological symptoms.
Humans ; Tendon Transfer/methods* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/physiopathology* ; Female ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Aged ; Adult ; Thumb/physiopathology* ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Median Nerve/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of needle knife release on median nerve (MN) and transverse carpal ligament (TCL) morphology and function and expression levels of inflammatory factors in rabbit models of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods Thirty adult New Zealand rabbits were randomized equally into control group, CTS model group, ultrasound-guided needle knife release group, needle knife release group without ultrasound guidance, and sham treatment groups. In all but the control group, the rabbits were subjected to CTS modeling by 10% glucose solution injection into the carpal tunnel once a week for 4 consecutive weeks, followed by interventions with a single treatment session. At 3 days and 30 days after the interventions, 3 rabbits from each group were selected for ultrasound measurement of TCL and MN thickness, electrophysiological testing, ultrasound elastography, and inflammatory cytokine level assessment. RESULTS: In the rabbit models of CTS, ultrasound-guided needle knife release significantly reduced the thickness of TCL and MN and improved sensory nerve conduction velocity at both 3 and 30 days after the intervention. Elastography of the TCL showed markedly softened intra-carpal tissues after ultrasound-guided needle knife release and achieved superior outcomes over those in the other groups. The treatment also significantly reduced IL-17 levels and lowered IL-6 and PGE2 expression at 30 days after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS Needle knife release of the TCL reduces thickness of the MN and TCL, enhances median nerve function, alleviates intrascatic tissue stiffness, and downregulates inflammatory factors in the carpal tunnel in rabbit models of CTS, and ultrasound guidance further enhances its therapeutic efficacy.
Animals ; Rabbits ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/surgery* ; Median Nerve/physiopathology* ; Disease Models, Animal

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between clinical symptoms and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet before and after open carpal tunnel release (CTR). METHODS: Thirty-two patients (53 hands) that underwent open CTR for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome were prospectively enrolled. Median nerve CSA at the carpal tunnel inlet was measured preoperatively and at 2 and 12 weeks after CTR by high resolution ultrasonography. The Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire (BCTQ) was also completed at these times. RESULTS: BCTQ symptom (BCTQ-S) score was significantly improved at 2 weeks postoperatively, but BCTQ function (BCTQ-F) score and CSA were significantly improved at 12 weeks postoperatively. Preoperative CSA was significantly correlated with preoperative BCTQ-S and BCTQ-F scores but was not significantly correlated with postoperative BCTQ scores or postoperative changes in BCTQ scores. Postoperative median nerve CSA was not significantly correlated with postoperative BCTQ-S or BCTQ-F scores, and postoperative changes in median nerve CSA were not significantly correlated with postoperative changes in BCTQ-S or BCTQ-F scores. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows clinical symptoms resolve rapidly after open CTR, but median nerve swelling and clinical function take several months to recover. In addition, preoperative median nerve swelling might predict preoperative severities of clinical symptoms and functional disabilities. However, postoperative reductions in median nerve swelling were not found to reflect postoperative reductions in clinical symptoms or functional disabilities.
Anatomy, Cross-Sectional ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/diagnostic imaging/epidemiology/*physiopathology/*surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Median Nerve/anatomy & histology/physiopathology/*surgery ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedic Procedures/*statistics & numerical data ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Ultrasonography ; Wrist/surgery

OBJECTIVETo study clinical results of the manual reduction in treatment.

METHODSFrom October 2010 to April 2013,39 children with Monteggia fracture associated with anterior interosseous nerve injury were treated by manual reduction and fixation on buckling rotation backward,including 17 females and 22 males with an average age of 6.3 years old ranging from 3.2 to 11 years old. Among them, 15 cases were on the right side and 24 cases on the left. The course of disease was 40 minutes to 8 days (averaged 1.5 days). There were 7 cases with skateboard injured, 13 cases with stumble injured, 11 cases with falling injured,8 cases with air bed injured. According to Bado classification, 13 cases were type II, 22 cases were type III, 4 cases were type IV.

RESULTSThe distal forefinger showed exercise normally in 34 cases at 3 weeks after treatment, and the patients restored normal activities at 6 weeks after treatment. All patients were follow-up from 54 days to 6 months (averaged 67 days. According to Mayo elbow functional evaluation standard,the scoring result was 19.62±1.35 in activity, 45.00 ± 0.00 in pain, 9.87 ± 0.80 in stability, 25.00±0.00 in strength, 99.49 ±1.92 in total. The outcome of all patients was excellent and good evaluation results.

CONCLUSIONIf the anterior interosseous nerve injury could be identified early and treated timely, patients could gradually restore reasonable function and recover with satisfactory results. Raising understanding of anterior interosseous nerve injury can effectively reduce misdiagnosis.

Arm Bones ; injuries ; innervation ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Forearm Injuries ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Median Nerve ; injuries ; Monteggia's Fracture ; surgery

Melorheostosis is a rare, progressive bone disease accompanied by hyperostosis and soft tissue fibrosis. While affected adults present with contracture and pain, children present with limb length discrepancy and deformity. We report the case of a 20-year-old woman with melorheostosis since childhood who presented with right hand deformity and numbness. Radiographs showed not only a combination of dense sclerosis and opacities, but also the classic 'flowing candle wax' appearance. Radiography can be used to identify melorheostosis, thus preventing unnecessary bone biopsies. Carpal tunnel release revealed the presence of a thickened flexor retinaculum and a degenerated median nerve distal to the retinaculum, but did not show hyperostosis. This case highlights the role of nerve decompression in melorheostosis and the importance of early identification of the disease to prevent unnecessary bone biopsies.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibrosis ; pathology ; Hand ; pathology ; Hand Deformities ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Median Nerve ; surgery ; Melorheostosis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Radiography ; Sclerosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDContralateral C7 (cC7) transfer had been widely used in many organizations in the world, but the outcomes were significantly different. So the purpose of the study was to evaluate the outcome of patients treated with cC7 transferring to median nerve and to determine the factors affecting the outcome of this procedure.

METHODSA retrospective review of 51 patients with total root avulsion brachial plexus injuries who underwent cC7 transfer was conducted. All of the surgeries were performed with two surgery stages and median nerve was the recipient nerve. The cC7 nerve was used in three different ways. The entire C7 root was used in 11 patients; the posterior division together with the lateral part of the anterior division was used in 15 patients; the anterior or the posterior division alone was used in 25 patients. The mean follow-up period was 6.9 years.

RESULTSThe efficiency of the surgery in these 51 patients was 49.02% in motor and 62.75% in sensory function. The patients with entire C7 root transfer obtained significantly better recovery in both motor and sensory function than the patients with partial C7 transfer. The best function recovery could be induced if the interval between the two surgery stages was 4-8 months.

CONCLUSIONScC7 transfer is an effective procedure in repairing median nerve. But using the entire C7 root transfer can obtain better recovery; so we emphasize using the entire root as the donor. The optimal interval between two surgery stages is 4-8 months.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Brachial Plexus ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Median Nerve ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Transfer ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Radial nerve palsy is the most common neurological involvement in humeral shaft fractures. But combined radial and median nerve injury in a closed diaphyseal fracture of the humerus is rare. Combined injury to both radial and median nerve can cause significant disability. A detailed clinical examination is therefore necessary following humeral shaft fractures. We report a patient with closed diaphyseal humeral fracture (AO 12A-2.3) together with radial and median nerve palsy, its management and review of the literature. As the patient had two nerves involved, surgical exploration was planned. Fracture was reduced and fixed with a 4.5 mm narrow dynamic compression plate. There was no external injury to both radial and median nerves on surgical exploration. Neurological recovery started at 3 weeks' follow-up. Complete recovery was seen at 12 weeks. Careful clinical examination is of the utmost importance in early diagnosis of combined nerve injuries, which allows better management and rehabilitation of the patient.
Bone Plates ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; surgery ; Humerus ; Median Nerve ; Radial Neuropathy

Elbow Joint ; innervation ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Median Nerve ; abnormalities ; Ulnar Nerve ; abnormalities ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features of lipomatosis of nerve (NLS).

METHODSThe clinical, radiologic and pathologic features were analyzed in 15 cases of NLS.

RESULTSThere were a total of 10 males and 5 females. The age of patients ranged from 4 to 42 years (mean age = 22.4 years). Eleven cases were located in the upper limbs and 4 cases in the lower limbs. The median nerve was the most common involved nerve. The patients typically presented before 30 years of age (often at birth or in early childhood) with a soft and slowly enlarging mass in the limb, with or without accompanying motor and sensory deficits. Some cases also had macrodactyly and carpal tunnel syndrome. MRI showed the presence of fatty tissue between nerve fascicles, resembling coaxial cable in axial plane and assuming a spaghetti-like appearance in coronal plane. On gross examination, the affected nerve was markedly increased in length and diameter. It consisted of a diffusely enlarged greyish-yellow lobulated fusiform beaded mass within the epineural sheath. Histologically, the epineurium was infiltrated by fibrofatty tissue which separated, surrounded and compressed the usually normal-appearing nerve fascicles, resulting in perineural septation of nerve fascicles and microfascicle formation. The infiltration sometimes resulted in concentric arrangement of perineural cells and pseudo-onion bulb-like hypertrophic changes. The perineurial cells might proliferate, with thickening of collagen fibers, degeneration and atrophic changes of nerve bundles. Immunohistochemical study showed that the nerve fibers expressed S-100 protein, neurofilament and CD56 (weak). The endothelial cells and dendritic fibers were highlighted by CD34. The intravascular smooth muscle cells were positive for muscle-specific actin.

CONCLUSIONSNLS is a rare benign soft tissue tumor of peripheral nerve. The MRI findings are characteristic. A definitive diagnosis can be made with histologic examination of tissue biopsy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; CD56 Antigen ; metabolism ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; complications ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Extremities ; innervation ; Female ; Hand Deformities, Congenital ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Lipoma ; pathology ; Lipomatosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Median Nerve ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nerve Sheath Neoplasms ; pathology ; Neurofibroma ; pathology ; Neurofilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Neuroma ; pathology ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; complications ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the proximal nerve stump, in end-to-side nerve repair, to functional recovery, by modifying the classic end-to-side neurorrhaphy and suturing the proximal nerve stump to a donor nerve in a rat model of a severed median nerve. METHODS: Three experimental groups were studied: a modified end-to-side neurorrhaphy with suturing of the proximal nerve stump (double end-to-side neurorrhaphy, Group I), a classic end-to-side neurorrhaphy (Group II) and a control group without neurorrhaphy (Group III). Twenty weeks after surgery, grasping testing, muscle contractility testing, and histological studies were performed. RESULTS: The grasping strength, muscle contraction force and nerve fiber count were significantly higher in group I than in group II, and there was no evidence of nerve recovery in group III. CONCLUSIONS: The contribution from the proximal nerve stump in double end-to-side nerve repair might improve axonal sprouting from the donor nerve and help achieve a better functional recovery in an end-to-side coaptation model.
Anastomosis, Surgical/methods ; Animals ; Axons/pathology ; Forelimb ; Hand Strength ; Male ; Median Nerve/pathology/*surgery ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology ; Nerve Regeneration ; Nerve Transfer/*methods ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recovery of Function ; Ulnar Nerve/pathology/*surgery