Preventive strategies,exercises and rehabilitation of hand neuropathy in cyclists: A systematic review

BackgroundRecreation, transportation and sport are the most common uses of bicycles. Unfortunately, repetitive bicycle use can also cause injuries, such as osteoarticular direct and undirect traumatisms and sometimes compression nerve entrapment caused by an extrinsic compressive force.PurposeThe aim of the study is to define diagnostic process, preventive strategies, and treatment of ulnar and median neuropathies in cyclists.Study DesignSystematic review.MethodsA search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently reviewed articles and came to a consensus about which ones to include. The authors excluded all duplicates, articles involving individuals with other sport-related injuries than cycling, and articles unrelated to peripheral neuropathies. Articles were included if hand palsy was due to peripheral compression of ulnar or median nerve in cyclists.ResultsThe search identified 15,371 articles with the keywords “Peripheral Nervous System Diseases” OR “neuropathy” OR “ulnar palsy” OR “median palsy” AND “bicycling” OR “bike” OR “bicycle” OR “cyclist”. The reviewers analyzed 48 full texts. There were 20 publications that met the criteria and were included in the systematic review. These articles were used to describe the main methods used for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of hand neuropathy of cyclists.ConclusionDespite the range of treatment available for peripheral neuropathies, a unique and common protocol is lacking on this specific topic. For this reason, we delineate a definitive recovery protocol to show the best therapeutic methodologies present in the current literature. Preventive strategies, period of rest since the beginning of the symptomatology, rehabilitation training with muscle strengthening, orthoses at night are the first strategies, but if the symptoms persist, pharmacologic treatment and eventual surgical decompression are sometimes the unique solution.     

Late compression neuropathies after Colles' fractures

Conservative management of 166 Colles' fractures was associated with a 12% rate of late compression neuropathies (mean follow-up period, 28 months). Compression of the median nerve (8%) was twice as common as ulnar nerve compression (4%). Eighty-five percent of the patients with median nerve compression had malunion with radial collapse with or without other deformities (dorsal angulation/radial displacement). Patients with ulnar nerve compression had either malunion with radial collapse or volar subluxation of the ulnar head in those fractures that healed with dorsal angulation. Patients without nerve complications showed a significantly lower rate of malunions. These results demonstrate that anatomic derangements play a role in the development of late compression neuropathies following Colles' fractures.     

Mini-open carpal tunnel decompression

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy, and it is caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. The authors describe the mini-open carpal tunnel technique for surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament. The success of the procedure depends on meticulous technique with attention to certain important anatomic details and careful avoidance of injury to the palmar cutaneous nerve and the recurrent motor branch.     

Current concepts in carpal tunnel syndrome: a review of the literature

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper limb, occurring due to compression of the median nerve at the wrist. The condition has an estimated economic cost in excess of $2 billion. This article reviews the history, diagnosis and current management of this frequently encountered condition.     

An anomaly of the median artery associated with the anterior interosseous nerve syndrome.

The anterior interosseous nerve syndrome is characterized by paralysis of the flexor pollicis longus muscle, the flexor digitorum profundus muscle to the index and middle fingers, and the pronator quadratus muscle. The most common cause is entrapment of the anterior interosseous nerve near its origin from the median nerve by a variety of structures. Compression is most frequently caused by the deep head of the pronator teres muscle, or the fibrous arcade of the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle. Vascular compression has been reported infrequently. A patient with anterior interosseous nerve syndrome was found at operation to have the median artery passing through the anterior interosseous nerve just below the elbow. This artery has not previously been associated with the syndrome. A cadaver dissection confirmed the relationship.     

Compression neuropathies of the lower extremity

Compression neuropathies of the lower extremity can be just as disabling as compression neuropathies in the upper extremity. The most common compression neuropathies encountered in the lower extremity affect the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, the peroneal nerve, the saphenous nerve, the sural nerve, and the tibial nerve (including their branches). These are discussed in terms of anatomy, etiologies, manifestations, and surgical treatment.     

Evolving concepts of median nerve decompression in the carpal tunnel

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common and best known of the compression neuropathies in the upper extremity. The authors review their clinical experiences in the diagnosis and management of this entity and survey the extensive literature on the subject. An operative approach for decompression of the median nerve in the carpal canal is described that has proved to be most efficacious and safe.     

A rare cause of ‘drop foot’ in the pediatric age group: Proximal fibular osteochondroma a report of 5 cases

INTRODUCTION

The fibular nerve is the most frequent site of neural entrapment in the lower extremity and the third most common site in the body, following the median and ulnar nerves. The peroneal nerve is commonly injured upon trauma. Additionally, a dropped foot might be a symptom related to the central nervous system or spinal pathologies in pediatric patients. Entrapment of the peripheral nerve as an etiologic cause should be kept in mind and further analyzed in orthopedic surgery clinics.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

In this study, the evaluation and treatment results of five patients with no history of trauma, who underwent diagnostic procedures and treatment in various clinics (physical therapy and rehabilitation and neurosurgery), are reported. The patients underwent several treatments without diagnosis of the primary etiology. Upon initial consultation at our department, osteochondroma at the proximal fibula was detected after physical examination and radiologic assessment. During surgery, the peroneal nerve was dissected, starting from a level above the knee joint. Following nerve release, the osteochondroma was removed, including its cartilage cap. Consequently, recovery was observed in all five cases after surgery.

DISCUSSION

Many factors may cause non-traumatic neuropathies. However, due to their rare occurrence, lesions such as osteochondromas may be overlooked at non-orthopedic clinics. Nerve entrapment due to proximal fibular osteochondroma is rare. Surgical treatment planning plays a critical role in nerve entrapment cases.

CONCLUSION

Despite its frequent occurrence, a drop foot associated with peroneal nerve entrapment by an osteochondroma is not easily remembered and diagnosed. Especially in pediatric cases, inadequate clinical consultation and a lack of appropriate radiologic studies may result in a delay in diagnosing peroneal nerve lesions.     

Nerve entrapment and gene therapy

Peripheral entrapment neuropathy is a common cause of upper-extremity pain, paresthesias, and weakness. Although any of the major nerves can be affected, compression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel is the commonest site of clinically significant nerve compression. Etiologically, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has numerous causes, but the idiopathic group greatly outnumbers the rest. Moreover, the pathophysiology of CTS patients claiming work-related repetitive hand motion as a basis for their disorder has been the subject of intensive study because of its economic ramifications for industry. CTS can serve as a model for reviewing the pathophysiology and biochemical changes of the nerve and its exterior milieu at the cellular level, as well as the possibilities of modifying these changes at the molecular level.     

Bilateral median nerve compression at the level of Struthers' ligament. Case report

Struthers' ligament syndrome is a rare cause of median nerve entrapment. Bilateral compression of the median nerve is even more rare. It presents with pain, sensory disturbance, and/or motor function loss at the median nerve's dermatomal area. The authors present the case of a 21-year-old woman with bilateral median nerve compression caused by Struthers' ligament. She underwent surgical decompression of the nerve on both sides. To the authors' knowledge, this case is the first reported bilateral compression of the median nerve caused by Struthers' ligament. The presentation and symptomatology of Struthers' ligament syndrome must be differentiated from median nerve compression arising from other causes.     

神经根型颈椎病伴有周围神经卡压的诊断和治疗

目的：研究29例双卡综合征的诊断和治疗。方法：从1997年以来同时诊断为神经根型颈椎病与周围神经卡压的病例中选出29例患者，诊断标准为：(1)影像学上存在神经根在椎管内受压的证据；(2)有临床和(或)电生理的证据表明存在周围神经受到卡压；(3)周围神经的Tine1征阳性。对其中5例行保守治疗，24例行手术治疗，即神经松解术。平均随访12个月，根据术后症状、体征改善的程度分优、良、可和无效4级。结果：25例治疗后疗效优良，占86％。结论：神经根型颈椎病伴有周围神经卡压的双卡综合征并不罕见，正确认识双卡综合征，对诜择正确的治疗方案和估计愈后有重要意义．一旦确诊．应采取手术或非手术相结合的方法，可以达到满意的效果。     

Median nerve compression complicating arthrodesis of the rheumatoid wrist

The frequency and pathogenesis of median nerve compression complicating the Rush pin method of fusing the rheumatoid wrist was evaluated retrospectively. This complication was encountered in 14/50 wrists (28%). In 7 hands the carpal tunnel was explored, mostly within 2 weeks after fusion. In addition to signs of acute entrapment of the median nerve the most constant finding was that the volar edge of the resected distal end of the radius was prominent and projected into the bottom of the carpal tunnel caused by too vigorous correction of the subluxed carpus. Obviously the median nerve was squeezed or angulated at the volar edge of the radius. After median nerve release and resection of the bony prominence all patients regained full sensibility within the period of observation (in average 2.5 years). It is concluded that this mechanism of nerve entrapment should be realized when fusion of a severely destructed rheumatoid wrist is considered.     

Proximal radial compression neuropathy

Proximal radial nerve compression occurs infrequently and is diagnosed successfully even less frequently. A large clinical series of patients with proximal radial nerve compression neuropathy was reviewed to determine better the common symptoms, physical findings, and electrodiagnostic findings, and to identify the predictors of better or worse outcome after surgical decompression. Seventy-nine proximal radial compression neuropathies were treated in 71 patients by the same surgeon between 1991 and 2000. The most consistent symptoms were deep aching pain in the forearm, pain radiation to the neck and shoulder, and a "heavy" sensation of the affected arm. The most common physical findings were tenderness over the radial nerve at the supinator muscle level, pain on resisted supination, and the presence of a Tinel sign over the radial forearm. Electrophysiologic studies were of limited value in diagnosis, with 90% of patients having normal findings. On operation, prominent pathology of the posterior interosseous nerve was observed in 36 of 79 limbs (46%). Follow-up ranged from 12 to 86 months (mean, 21 months) with no significant complications or recurrence of symptoms. Of the 79 nerve decompressions, 77% had excellent recovery and 20% were judged to be good. Of 69 patients employed when treated, 60 resumed gainful employment, including 53 who returned to their regular jobs. Proximal radial compression neuropathies are uncommon but present with a basic constellation of symptoms and physical findings, and decompression can provide excellent relief of symptoms.     

Clinical and neurophysiologic characteristics of the pronator syndrome

Nine patients were clinically diagnosed as having a pronator syndrome, i.e., high median nerve compression. The main symptom was pain at the proximal volar aspect of the forearm increasing for several hours after exercise. All patients showed local tenderness over the median nerve 4-5 cm distal to the elbow and pain on active forearm pronation against resistance. Two patients had been previously operated upon for carpal tunnel syndrome. Preoperative routine neurographic-electromyographic studies were normal. In the differential diagnosis, the exclusion of carpal tunnel syndrome and anterior interosseous nerve entrapment is most important. On active isometric forearm pronation, interference with median nerve motor conduction occurred in three patients preoperation. This phenomenon had disappeared following median nerve decompression at the level of the pronator muscle. Fibrous bands from the pronator muscle, encircling the nerve, seemed to be an etiological factor. Eight of nine patients were either improved or recovered completely by surgical treatment.     

Entrapment neuropathies of the median nerve at and above the elbow

Three surgically verified cases of median nerve entrapment at and above the elbow are reported: one involved a compression of the nerve beneath the Struthers ligament in absence of supracondylar bony spur, and two concerned a compression beneath the lacertus fibrosus bicipitis (aponeurosis musculi bicipitalis brachii). Of the two latter cases, the first entrapment was caused by a hematome and the second the nerve was found to be entrapped between the lactertus and an underlying hypertrophic brachial muscle. The compression mechanisms and clinical and electromyographic findings are presented.     

Possible anatomic structures causing entrapment neuropathies of the median nerve: an anatomic study

This study aimed at identifying the anatomic structures which may be responsible for entrapment neuropathies of the median nerve. Thirty upper extremities of 15 formalin fixed adult cadavers were dissected from the axilla to the distal forearm under Zeiss Opmi 9--FC microscope. We encountered seven different anatomic structures that may compress the median nerve. These structures are the brachialis muscle, Struther's ligament, the bicipital aponeurosis, pronator teres, flexor digitorum superficialis, the accessory head of plexor pollicis longus (Gantzer's muscle) and vascular structures. The supracondylar process, which we did not encounter in our dissection, has been reported as another cause. Based on our dissection findings and on literature, the median nerve can be compressed by seven different structures from the axilla to the distal forearm. Knowledge of the course of the median nerve and its relations with the adjacent anatomic structures facilitates determination of the exact cause of entrapment and allows for a safe surgery.     

Cubital tunnel syndrome due to giant cell tumour of tendon sheaths.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is one of the most common entrapment neuropathies in adults. It is mainly caused by the depression of ulnar nerve from normal structures at the elbow area. Despite the fact that several pathgological entities can be potential mechanisms of the syndrome, the pathogenesis due to benign or malignant neoplasms is extremely rare. In the present report we describe the first case of cubital tunnel syndrome due to giant cell tumour of the tendon sheaths.     

Surgical treatment of a tomaculous neuropathy

Compressive neuropathy of the ulnar nerve at the elbow is the second most common nerve entrapment in the upper limb. Eight possible anatomical points of constriction have been identified. The most common constriction being the intermuscular septum proximally or between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris in the cubital canal distally. Surgical release is successful in 80-90% of cases. Certain rare genetic conditions can predispose susceptible peripheral nerves to similar compressive neuropathies but there is no literature on surgical treatment of such patients. We present a case of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP) often known as 'tomaculous' neuropathy, in a patient with ulnar nerve symptoms who underwent a surgical release.     

Pronator syndrome and other nerve compressions that mimic carpal tunnel syndrome

The purpose of this clinical commentary is to provide a comprehensive review of compressive neuropathies that may mimic carpal tunnel syndrome, provide the clinician with information to differentially diagnose these median nerve compression sites, and provide an evidence-based opinion regarding conservative intervention techniques for the various compression syndromes. While rare in comparison to carpal tunnel syndrome, pronator syndrome and anterior interosseous nerve syndrome are proximal median nerve compressions that may be suspected if a patient with carpal tunnel syndrome fails to respond to conservative or surgical intervention. Differential diagnosis is based largely on the symptoms, patterns of paresthesia, and specific patterns of muscle weakness. Due to the relative rarity of pronator syndrome and anterior interosseous nerve syndrome, few controlled studies exist to determine the most effective treatment techniques. Based on sound anatomical and biomechanical considerations, anecdotal experience, and available research, however, treatment strategies for pronator syndrome and anterior interosseous nerve syndrome compression neuropathies can be divided into 4 major categories: (1) rest/immobilization, (2) modalities, (3) nerve gliding, and (4) nonconservative treatment.     

Partial median nerve entrapment in the distal arm because of an accessory bicipital aponeurosis

We present a newly described entrapment of the median nerve caused by compression in the distal arm because of an accessory bicipital aponeurosis. It is characterized by the paresis or paralysis of muscles innervated by the anterior interosseous branch of the median nerve--the flexor pollicis longus, the flexor digitorum profundus, and the pronator quadratus--as well as other more proximal median nerve innervated muscles, namely, the pronator teres and flexor carpi radialis. Sensibility is intact. The site of the Tinel's sign in the distal arm and the clinical appearance of an accessory bicipital aponeurosis help to localize the lesion. Electrodiagnostic studies are also important in establishing the site of the entrapment. The clinical and surgical findings are correlated with the internal topography of the median nerve at its site of compression. It is important to differentiate this syndrome from the classic anterior interosseous syndrome and other nerve entrapments at the elbow and arm. Surgical exploration is indicated if there is no clinical or electromyographic improvement in three to four months after the onset of symptoms.