Pamamanhid at Pagkirot sa Kamay at Braso Impormasyon

Ang pahinang ito ay isinalin ng makina at hindi pa nasusuri ng isang doktor. Ang bersyong Ingles ang siyang opisyal.

Ang iyong nararamdaman

Ang mga problema sa nerve sa kamay at braso ay nagdudulot ng pangingilig, pamamanhid, o pakiramdam na parang tinutusok-tusok ng karayom. Maaari mo itong mapansin sa iyong hinlalaki, mga daliri, palad, o forearm. Ang ilang tao ay nakakaramdam ng mapurol na kirot sa kahabaan ng landas ng nerve. Ang mga sintomas ay madalas na lumalala sa gabi o kapag kagigising mo pa lamang. Ang pagpapanatiling nakabaluktot ng iyong pulso sa loob ng ilang oras, gaya ng kapag nagbabasa o nagmamaneho, ay maaaring magpalala nito. Ang pag-alog ng iyong kamay ay maaaring magbigay ng panandaliang ginhawa.

Ang mga pang-araw-araw na gawain ay maaaring maging mas mahirap. Maaari kang mahirapang magbutones, mabitawan ang iyong tasa ng kape, o mahirapang humawak ng takip ng garapon. Ang pagta-type o paggamit ng iyong telepono sa mahabang oras ay maaaring mag-trigger ng pangingilig. Napapansin ng ilang tao na ang kanilang mga daliri ay tila lampa o mahina. Ang mga pino na paggalaw ng daliri, gaya ng pagpapasok ng sinulid sa karayom, ay maaaring maging mahirap kapag mapurol ang pandama.

Kung saan mo nararamdaman ang mga sintomas ay nagtuturo kung aling nerve ang naiirita. Ang median nerve ay tumatakbo mula sa iyong forearm patungo sa iyong hinlalaki at unang tatlong daliri. Ang ulnar nerve naman ay bumababa patungo sa iyong kalingkingan at ring finger. Ang pressure sa alinman sa mga nerve na ito ay maaaring magdulot ng pamamanhid sa kani-kanilang bahagi ng balat. Minsan, dalawang bahagi sa kahabaan ng isang nerve ang naiipit nang sabay, na maaaring magpalakas sa mga sintomas.

Ang mga sintomas ng nerve ay maaari ring sumunod sa isang pinsala o isa pang operasyon. Ang pinsala sa kamay ay maaaring direktang makapinsala sa nerve, na nag-iiwan ng bahagi ng balat na manhid o mabagal gumaling. Ang mga problema sa nerve ay minsan lumilitaw pagkatapos ng operasyon sa balikat o leeg, kahit na ang operasyon ay malayo sa kamay. Ang pamamaga o scar tissue malapit sa nerve ay maaaring pumuwersa rito at magdulot ng parehong pangingilig.

Kung ang iyong mga sintomas ay mild, maaaring humupa ang mga ito sa pamamagitan ng mga simpleng hakbang gaya ng pahinga o splint. Kung ang mga ito ay nagpapatuloy, maaaring suriin ng iyong doktor ang iyong kamay at tingnan kung aling nerve ang sangkot. Ang mga test gaya ng nerve studies o ultrasound scan ay maaaring magkumpirma ng sanhi. Mahalaga ang paghahanap sa tamang bahagi ng pressure, dahil ang gamutan ay pinaka-epektibo kapag tinatarget nito ang tamang nerve.

Ano ang aktwal na nangyayari

Ang iyong mga nerve ay parang electrical wiring na tumatakbo mula sa iyong leeg pababa sa iyong mga dulo ng daliri. Nagdadala ang mga ito ng mga mensahe ng pakiramdam at paggalaw. Sa bahagi kung saan ang nerve ay dumadaan sa isang masikip na tunnel sa iyong pulso o siko, maaari itong maipit. Isipin ang isang garden hose na naipit sa ilalim ng pinto: dumadaloy pa rin ang tubig, ngunit mahina. Ganito rin ang nangyayari sa naipit na nerve, kaya ang pangingilig at pamamanhid na iyong nararamdaman ay ang signal ng nerve na nakakarating nang mahina.

Ang pressure na tumatagal nang matagal ay binabago ang mismong nerve. Una, ang protective lining ng nerve ay nagiging iritado at nagkakaroon ng leak. Kung magpapatuloy ang pag-ipit, ang wiring sa loob ay nagsisimulang mapudpod. Ang tindi ng pinsala sa nerve ang nagtatakda kung ano ang iyong mararamdaman. Ang isang nerve na bahagyang iritado ay nakakabawi kapag nabawasan ang pressure. Ang isang nerve na malubhang napinsala ay maaaring mag-iwan ng pamamanhid na mas matagal bago bumuti, o hindi na ganap na bumabalik.

Minsan, ang isang ipit ay hindi ang buong kuwento. Ang pressure sa dalawang spot sa iisang nerve, gaya ng sa siko at sa pulso, ay maaaring magsama. Tinatawag itong double crush: ang bawat spot nang mag-isa ay maaaring hindi magdulot ng problema, ngunit kapag magkasama, nagdudulot sila nito. Kapag mild ang mga sintomas, ang pagpapagaan sa dalawang spot nang walang surgery ay maaaring sapat na.

Maaari ring may kinalaman ang iyong posture. Ang paghawak sa iyong braso o pulso sa isang awkward na posisyon sa loob ng mahabang oras ay maaaring pumuwersa sa isang nerve o humila rito. Ang mga kalamnan (muscles) na nananatili sa pinaikling posisyon ay maaaring humina, at ang ibang mga kalamnan ay magtatrabaho nang overtime upang punan ito.

Kung saan mo nararamdaman ang pangingilig ay nagtuturo kung aling nerve ang naipit. Ang pressure sa median nerve ay nagdudulot ng pamamanhid sa thumb at unang tatlong daliri. Ang pressure sa ulnar nerve ay nakakaapekto sa kalingkingan (little finger) at ring finger. Itutugma ng iyong doktor ang iyong mga sintomas sa tamang nerve, dahil gumagana ang gamutan kapag tinatarget nito ang tamang spot.

Ano ang maaari nating gawin tungkol dito

Marami kang maaaring subukan bago pag-usapan ang anumang mga procedure. Ang pagpapahinga ng kamay at pagbabago sa kung paano ito ginagamit ay maaaring magbawas ng pressure sa nerve. Ang isang hand therapist ay maaaring magturo sa iyo ng mga ehersisyo at nerve gliding, kung saan dahan-dahan mong iginagalaw ang nerve sa loob ng tunnel nito. Ang desensitisation work, masahe, at mga protective garment ay maaari ring magpakalma sa iritadong balat at mga nerve. Ang mga simpleng sensory exercise ay madaling gawin sa bahay at kasya sa isang normal na therapy program. Bigyan ang mga hakbang na ito ng sapat na pagkakataon sa loob ng ilang linggo. Mahalaga ang maagang pagkilos: ang maagang pagtukoy sa problema sa nerve ay maaaring makapigil sa paninigas at panghihina.

Ang gamot ay maaaring makatulong kasabay ng mga hakbang na ito. Ang mga pain-modulating medicine ay maaaring magpababa ng hapdi o pangingilig na dulot ng mga nerve. May ilang tao na nakakahanap na ang mababang dosis ng ilang antidepressant o iba pang nerve-settling medicine ay tumutulong sa kanila na makatulog sa gabi kapag lumalala ang mga sintomas. Ang mga ito ay gumagana sa mga pain pathway sa halip na sa mismong pagka-ipit ng nerve. Para sa ilang kondisyon, ang isang fitted compression glove ay maaaring magbawas ng pamamaga na lumalala kapag nakababa ang iyong kamay o kapag ito ay nagtatrabaho nang husto. Titimbangin ng iyong doktor kung ano ang hatid ng bawat opsyon laban sa anumang side effects, at layuning gamitin ang pinakamababang dosis na nakakatulong. Ang mga malakas na opioid painkiller ay bihirang maging mabuting solusyon bago isaalang-alang ang anumang surgery.

Kung nananatiling malala ang mga sintomas sa kabila ng mga hakbang na ito, makabubuting kumonsulta sa isang espesyalista. Maaaring suriin ng iyong doktor ang iyong kamay, suriin ang iyong leeg, at i-test kung aling nerve ang apektado. Ang mga nerve study o ultrasound scan ay maaaring tumukoy sa eksaktong lokasyon ng pressure. Ang isang detalyadong questionnaire tungkol sa iyong mga sintomas at pang-araw-araw na gawain ay tumutulong upang masubaybayan ang iyong kalagayan. Mula rito, tatalakayin ng iyong doktor kung ang isang procedure ay maaaring makatulong sa iyong partikular na problema sa nerve. Hindi lahat ng kaso ay nangangailangan nito, at ang desisyon ay nakadepende sa ipinapakita ng mga test at kung gaano kalaki ang limitasyong dulot ng iyong mga sintomas.

Ano ang dapat asahan

Ang mga sintomas ng nerve ay madalas na sumusunod sa isang pattern. Ang mga mild na sintomas ay maaaring mawala sa pamamagitan ng pahinga, pag-splint, at pagbabago sa kung paano ginagamit ang iyong kamay. Kapag mild ang mga sintomas, ang pagbabawas ng pressure nang walang operasyon ay maaaring sapat na. Mahalaga ang maagang pagkilos: ang maagang pagtukoy sa problema sa nerve ay maaaring makapigil sa paninigas at panghihina.

Kung magpapatuloy ang pressure sa nerve, ang mga sintomas ay may tendensiyang manatili sa halip na mawala. Ang pamamanhid na matagal nang naroon ay maaaring mas matagal bago bumuti, at maaaring hindi na bumalik nang buo ang pakiramdam. Napapansin ng ilang tao na ang kanilang mga sintomas ay pabalik-balik, lumalala sa gabi o pagkatapos ng mga partikular na gawain. Kung ang mga sintomas ay nawala sa loob ng anim na buwan o higit pa at pagkatapos ay bumalik sa parehong lugar, karaniwan itong nangangahulugan na may nabuong bagong spot ng pressure, madalas ay malapit sa kung saan ginamot ang nerve noon.

Kapag ang gamutan ay nakatutok sa tamang spot, ang outlook ay madalas na mabuti. Para sa nerve compression na nabuo pagkatapos ng shoulder surgery, bihirang mawala ito sa non-operative care, ngunit ang operasyon upang palayain ang nerve ay humantong sa halos 90% symptom resolution. Para sa nerve na naiipit ng buto o scar tissue, ang pagpapalaya sa nerve ay maaaring magpahintulot dito na gumaling nang kusa, kung saan bumabalik ang lakas sa maliliit na kalamnan ng kamay.

Ang paggaling ay bihirang maging instant. Ang nerve na naiipit sa loob ng maraming buwan o taon ay nangangailangan ng oras upang gumaling, at ang pakiramdam ay dahan-dahang bumabalik sa loob ng mga linggo hanggang buwan. Ang ilang tao ay nakakakuha muli ng buong sensation. Ang iba ay naiiwang may bahaging manhid o balat na sobrang sensitibo. Kung ang nerve ay malubhang napinsala, o kung ilang operasyon na ang sinubukang ayusin ang parehong problema, mas mababa ang posibilidad na maibsan ng karagdagang operasyon ang mga sintomas, at tatalakayin ng iyong doktor sa iyo ang mga makatotohanang opsyon.

Ang tapat na sitwasyon ay ito: ang mga mild na sintomas ay madalas na nawawala sa mga simpleng hakbang, ang patuloy na pressure ay karaniwang nagpapanatili sa mga sintomas, at ang tamang pagpili ng gamutan ay nagbibigay sa karamihan ng mga tao ng makabuluhang ginhawa. Ang hindi nito maipapangako ay ang perpektong pagbabalik ng pakiramdam sa bawat kamay. Susuriin ka ng iyong doktor, titingnan ang iyong leeg, at gagamit ng nerve studies o ultrasound scan upang alamin kung aling spot ang nagdudulot ng problema bago magrekomenda ng anuman.

Kailan dapat magpatingin

Magpatingin sa iyong GP kung ang pangingilig o pamamanhid ay paulit-ulit na bumabalik, o kung ang mga simpleng hakbang tulad ng pahinga o splint ay hindi nakatulong pagkatapos ng ilang linggo. Humingi ng pagsusuri ng isang espesyalista kung ang iyong grip ay humihina, ang iyong mga daliri ay tila hindi makontrol (clumsy), o ang mga sintomas ay pumipigil sa iyong pagtulog o pagtatrabaho. Ang mga pagsusuri tulad ng nerve studies o ultrasound scan ay maaaring makumpirma kung aling nerve ang naiipit bago pag-usapan ang operasyon. Pumunta sa emergency department kung ang pamamanhid o panghihina ay biglaang dumating pagkatapos ng isang pinsala, o kung ang iyong kamay ay namumutla, lumalamig, o nagiging asul. Ang mga palatandaang ito ay nangangahulugang ang isang nerve o ang daloy ng dugo ay maaaring may problema at nangangailangan ng assessment sa mismong araw na iyon.


Evidence & references

This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.

Overview

  • A review of the current literature on pronator syndrome aims to consolidate existing knowledge within the spectrum of median nerve entrapment neuropathies to improve patient outcomes [1].
  • Clear definitions distinguishing recurrence from persistent compression neuropathy are required for upper extremity revision nerve compression surgery [2].
  • Standardized outcome measurements are necessary to enable comparison of results from different surgical techniques and clinics in upper extremity revision nerve compression surgery [2].
  • Agreements on supplementary diagnostics are needed for upper extremity revision nerve compression surgery [2].
  • Clinical signs and symptoms suggesting mild-to-moderate median neuropathy at the carpal tunnel are discordant from diagnoses based on electrodiagnostic studies and ultrasound [3].
  • Patients and clinicians considering surgery for mild-to-moderate median neuropathy based on signs and symptoms might consider additional testing, such as electrodiagnostic studies or ultrasound, to increase the probability of actual median neuropathy that can benefit from surgery [3].
  • Upper-extremity neuropathy can develop following nonupper extremity surgeries, particularly anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) [4].
  • In neuropathy rehabilitation, the assessment of position and tactile sensations should not be ignored when determining participation in manual skills [5].
  • Neuropathy symptoms following shoulder surgery were often refractory to conservative management [6].
  • Surgical decompression for median and ulnar neuropathies following shoulder surgery led to nearly 90% symptom resolution [6].
  • Patients with a history of ulnar nerve lesions are at a significantly increased risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, especially within the first 2 years [7].
  • As the severity of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow increases, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the ulnar nerve correspondingly increases at the elbow [8].
  • Assessing quality of life domains for two upper extremity conditions with different contextual factors provides insight into the implications of those factors on quality of life [9].
  • There is a severe discordance between the estimated prevalence of mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome based on clinical signs and symptoms (73%) versus electrodiagnostic studies and ultrasound (51%) [12].
  • Factors that interfere with the examination of nerves in the hand include other injuries that may be life-threatening or limb-threatening, patient intoxication, anxiety, lack of cooperation, and extensive injury to the hand [15].
  • If conditions are not satisfactory for a thorough examination during the initial evaluation of a hand injury, the hand should be reexamined within a reasonable period to determine the extent of nerve and other injuries sustained [15].
  • An injury to digital nerves is frequently overlooked during the initial or preliminary examination of hand injuries [15].
  • If a flexor tendon function deficit is present after a finger laceration, at least one digital nerve probably has been injured as well [15].
  • A high index of suspicion is necessary in the evaluation of patients with hand injuries [15].
  • Four areas of consideration are important when evaluating a patient with an injury to a nerve in the hand: type of injury, sensibility evaluation, motor function, and sudomotor function (sweating) [15].
  • The Seddon classification of nerve injury includes neurapraxia, axonotmesis, and neurotmesis [15].
  • The Sunderland classification of nerve injury includes degrees I through VI, with degree VI being a combination of any of degrees I–V [15].
  • Magnetic resonance neurography (MRA) is reported to be able to provide details regarding nerve anatomic relationships, fascicular pattern, intraneural swelling, and evaluation of downstream muscle injury [15].
  • Customary methods used to evaluate damaged sensory nerves include the use of a sharp pin to assess pain, a cotton-tipped applicator or finger eraser to assess light touch, and the tips of a paper clip or commercially prepared tool to assess two-point discrimination [15].
  • Normal two-point discrimination usually is 6 mm or less [15].
  • A patient with a transected nerve would not feel light touch, would not appreciate the pin as a sharp stimulus, and would be unable to discriminate between one and two points [15].
  • Patients with closed injuries or partial injuries to nerves may show spotty appreciation of light touch and pain and have markedly widened two-point discrimination [15].

Background & Causes

Pathophysiology and Histopathology

  • Chronic nerve compression histopathology begins with breakdown of the blood-nerve barrier and progresses to axonal degeneration with continued compression [16].
  • Patient signs, symptoms, and sensory testing parallel the histopathologic changes occurring in the nerve during chronic compression [16].
  • Abnormal postures or positions can compress nerves or place them on tension, leading to chronic nerve compression [16].
  • Abnormal postures can place muscles in shortened positions, leading to secondary effects [16].
  • Muscles in elongated or shortened positions become weakened and underused, causing other muscles to compensate and establish a pattern of muscle imbalance [16].

Anatomical and Structural Factors

  • Bifid median nerve entrapment by forearm musculature is a potential cause of median nerve compression symptoms that surgeons should consider during assessment [10].
  • The unique asymmetric neurologic innervation to the pectoralis minor predisposes the human shoulder to neurologic and musculoskeletal imbalance, producing the Human Disharmony Loop syndrome [29].
  • The contribution of the anconeus epitrochlearis muscle to ulnar nerve compression neuropathy or protection of the ulnar nerve could not be discerned for the standard population [30].

Systemic and Iatrogenic Causes

  • A careful medical history suggests the correct diagnosis in approximately 90% of patients with hand problems [25].
  • Systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, other endocrine disorders, renal disease, or vascular disease should be included in the medical history when evaluating hand disorders [25].
  • Recent pregnancies should be questioned in women of childbearing age when evaluating hand disorders [25].

Diagnostic Considerations

  • Diagnosis of mild-to-moderate median neuropathy at the carpal tunnel based on signs and symptoms is discordant from diagnosis based on electrodiagnostic studies and ultrasound [3].
  • If double crush syndrome is suspected but symptoms are mild, they may respond to conservative treatment, while invasive treatments should be initiated preferentially at sites with greater clinical suspicion [13].

Symptoms & Presentation

  • Clinical signs and symptoms suggest a prevalence of mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome of 73% [12].
  • Electrodiagnostic studies and ultrasound indicate a prevalence of mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome of 51% [12].
  • There is a severe discordance between the estimated prevalence of mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome based on clinical signs and symptoms versus electrodiagnostic studies and ultrasound [12].
  • When signs and symptoms suggest mild-to-moderate median neuropathy, additional testing such as electrodiagnostic studies or ultrasound may increase the probability of actual median neuropathy that can benefit from surgery [3].
  • Upper-extremity neuropathy can develop following nonupper extremity surgeries, particularly anterior cervical discectomy and fusion [4].
  • As the severity of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow increases, the cross-sectional area of the ulnar nerve correspondingly increases at the elbow [8].
  • Surgical decompression for neuropathy following shoulder surgery led to nearly 90% symptom resolution [6].
  • In neuropathy rehabilitation, the assessment of position and tactile sensations should not be ignored in determining participation in manual skills [5].
  • If double crush syndrome is suspected but symptoms are mild, they may respond to conservative treatment [13].
  • Invasive treatments for double crush syndrome should be initiated preferentially at sites with greater clinical suspicion [13].
  • Surgeons should bear bifid median nerve anomalies in mind when assessing patients with symptoms of median nerve compression [10].

Management

Diagnostic and Preoperative Assessment

  • When signs and symptoms suggest mild-to-moderate median neuropathy and surgery is being considered, patients and clinicians might consider additional testing, such as electrodiagnostic studies (EDS) or ultrasound (US), to increase the probability of actual median neuropathy that can benefit from surgery [3].
  • A high index of suspicion is necessary in the evaluation of patients with hand injuries, as digital nerve injuries are frequently overlooked [15].
  • If a nerve is transected, a patient would not feel light touch, would not appreciate the pin as a sharp stimulus, and would be unable to discriminate between one and two points [15].
  • The use of a pain evaluation questionnaire that includes a body diagram, a subjective questionnaire, and visual analog scales is useful in the evaluation of patients with nerve compression and/or diffuse symptoms [16].
  • The carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire assesses symptom severity (11 items) and functional status (8 items), with higher scores indicating decreased functional status [16].
  • The Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire uses a standardized 30 items to allow for comparison of upper extremity conditions, with higher scores indicating higher levels of disability [16].
  • The Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) is a 67-item questionnaire that addresses specific domains of overall hand function, physical function, cosmesis, and satisfaction [16].
  • The Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) assesses items identified by patients, where each patient identifies three activities or tasks that they find difficult or impossible to perform [16].
  • The physical examination of suspected complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) patients should include a neurologic assessment and evaluation of the cervical and thoracic spine [20].
  • The presence of cervical disease may exacerbate CRPS, representing a form of "double-crush syndrome" [20].
  • Preexisting or acquired thoracic outlet or distant compression neuropathies can represent a "triple or more" crush syndrome [20].
  • There are no objective laboratory tests to aid in the diagnosis of CRPS [20].
  • Paresthesias are present in up to 95% of patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and are the most common initial complaint [21].
  • An association between distal nerve compression and TOS has been attributed to a form of double-crush syndrome [21].
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome is described in 21% to 45% of patients with TOS [21].
  • Cubital tunnel syndrome is described in up to 10% of patients with TOS [21].
  • If there is a diagnosis of TOS and a peripheral compression, and electrical studies are positive with very positive clinical findings for a distinct compression that respond appropriately to a discrete block, a separate release of the involved nerve may be performed [21].
  • The authors emphasize the need for clear definitions of recurrence versus persistent compression neuropathy, agreements on supplementary diagnostics, and standardized outcome measurements to enable comparing results from different techniques and clinics [2].
  • Surgeons are encouraged to bear anatomical anomalies such as bifid median nerves in mind when assessing patients with symptoms of median nerve compression [10].

Non-Operative Management

  • Conservative treatment of neuroma pain should consist of medical management, including pain-modulating medications, behavior modification, therapy, and modalities such as protective garments, desensitization, massage, nerve gliding, and TENS [24].
  • Local corticosteroid injections have been described for neuroma pain, though atrophy of local adipose tissue can exacerbate neuroma pain [24].
  • Sensory interventions for upper limb conditions are inexpensive, noninvasive, and easy to perform, allowing them to be easily implemented into conventional therapy practice in any setting [28].
  • Tricyclic antidepressants, neurotropics, or low doses of benzodiazepines may help patients with TOS sleep [21].
  • Narcotics should rarely be prescribed preoperatively for TOS [21].
  • If a vascular malformation is asymptomatic, it usually can be left alone [22].
  • Some patients with vascular malformations are effectively treated with a fitted compression glove if the lesion tends to swell when dependent or with activity [22].
  • Early management of CRPS will diminish the development of contractures, and manipulation under sympathetic blockade may prevent such contractures [19].
  • Surgery on contracted joints in CRPS should not be performed until maximal nonoperative improvement has been achieved, generally requiring a waiting period of a minimum of 3 to 6 months after successful elimination of active dystrophic pain [19].

Operative Management

  • Decompressing the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve allowed for spontaneous nerve recovery and reinnervation of ulnar nerve innervated intrinsic muscles in a case of posttraumatic compressive neuropathy caused by heterotopic ossification [14].
  • Anterior interosseous nerve transfer, along with cubital and ulnar tunnel release, results in sustained clinical and electrophysiological improvements in patients with severe chronic ulnar nerve compression [18].
  • More than 50% of patients who did not undergo carpal tunnel release at the initial surgery for perilunate injuries required a release within the follow-up period [17].
  • The best treatment for a symptomatic neuroma is prevention, which involves repairing even nonessential sensory nerves whenever possible [24].
  • For established neuromas, the best strategy is to excise the neuroma and give the axons an innervation target to avoid neuroma regrowth and restore central nervous system connectivity [24].
  • For a small-diameter neuroma-in-continuity, the neuroma may be excised and the nerve ends mobilized and primarily repaired [24].
  • For small gaps in neuroma repair, the freshened proximal stump can be repaired via graft, conduit, or autologous nerve allograft (ANA) to the distal nerve stump [24].
  • If the distal nerve is unavailable for neuroma repair, the freshened nerve end can be sewn in a reverse end-to-side (supercharging) fashion to a nearby nerve trunk [24].
  • Neuroma resection was reported as the most consistently effective treatment for neuroma pain in a 25-year retrospective review [24].
  • When a neuroma is not repairable and not associated with neuropathic pain, simple surgical excision and proximal transposition to a less vulnerable location are often effective [24].
  • More intensive surgical methods for neuromas include open exposure and formal repositioning of the nerve stump into a deeper anatomic location such as within a muscle belly or within a medullary canal [24].
  • Targeted muscle reinnervation involves identifying and dividing a motor branch of a neighboring functional muscle and performing a nerve transfer of the prepared nerve stump to the motor branch near its entry point into the muscle [24].
  • Results for targeted muscle reinnervation are better if performed as part of the initial amputation procedure or soon after neuropathic pain begins [24].
  • The radial sensory nerve is released at its point of compression between the tendons of the extensor carpi radialis longus and brachioradialis [23].
  • A full tenotomy of the brachioradialis tendon is performed and a portion of the tendon is resected to completely decompress the radial sensory nerve [23].
  • Neurolysis is not performed during radial sensory nerve decompression [23].
  • A piece of bioresorbable adhesion barrier is placed over the nerve to decrease scarring after radial sensory nerve decompression [23].
  • Indications for median nerve neurolysis in CRPS include quiescent or stable sympathetically maintained CRPS with mechanical pain and previous neurolysis with scar and decreased nerve mobility [19].
  • Preoperative evaluation for median nerve neurolysis in CRPS includes demonstrating painful nerve gliding and evaluating peripheral nerve conduction velocities [19].
  • Autogenous saphenous vein or allograft can be wrapped directly around the median nerve with an opening to allow the palmar cutaneous branch to exit [19].
  • The vein graft should be sutured proximally and distally with a 5-0 or 6-0 nonreactive suture [19].
  • Chromic suture should be avoided because chemicals released from the suture can create a nociceptive neural focus [19].
  • An injured palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve can be resected and moved to an unscarred area or repaired by using an end-to-end interposition antebrachial cutaneous nerve [19].
  • Postoperatively, the limb is protected from pain and dystrophic flare-up by the use of continuous autonomic blockade [19].
  • Motion of the affected extremity is initiated in a controlled active therapy program or by using continuous passive motion over the 3- to 5-day period of hospitalization [19].
  • Surgical correction of secondary joint deformities from arthrofibrosis may be necessary after CRPS, with indications including joint pain without diffuse dystrophic symptoms and arthrofibrosis that interferes with function [19].
  • Release of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) or proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints (or both) can be performed when nonoperative improvement has plateaued and the deformity warrants intervention [19].
  • If necessary, all four MCP joints and all four PIP joints can be released in a single operation for CRPS-related contractures [19].
  • Restoration of full flexion or extension is an unreasonable goal or expectation for surgery on contracted joints in CRPS [19].
  • The range of motion achieved during surgery for CRPS contractures is rarely maintained after surgery as some loss is expected [19].
  • Surgical management of vascular malformations aims to completely extirpate the lesion, preserving tendons, bone, nerve, and uninvolved muscle [22].
  • Vascular supply is reconstituted as needed with microvascular repairs and vein grafting for vascular malformations [22].
  • An aggressive surgical approach in symptomatic vascular lesions in all but the worst high-flow lesions leads to acceptable outcomes with low complication rates [22].
  • Venous malformations are often seen on or around nerves, and great care should be taken to limit damage to any significant nerve in the hand [22].
  • Surgical excision of venous malformations usually reduces pain and improves function for a significant period of time [22].
  • For high-flow arteriovenous malformations, a surgeon should plan to excise the involved abnormal arteries and reconstruct whatever is necessary with vein grafts [22].
  • The other, uninvolved artery often needs ligation to decrease the large amount of inflow characteristic of high-flow arteriovenous malformations [22].
  • Ischemic digits associated with high-flow arteriovenous malformations are probably best amputated [22].

Key Considerations

  • Clinical signs and symptoms for mild-to-moderate median neuropathy at the carpal tunnel are discordant from diagnoses based on electrodiagnostic studies and ultrasound [3].
  • The estimated prevalence of mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome based on clinical signs and symptoms is 73%, compared to 51% based on electrodiagnostic studies and ultrasound [12].
  • Surgical decompression following shoulder surgery led to nearly 90% symptom resolution for neuropathy [6].
  • Decompressing the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve caused by heterotopic ossification allowed for spontaneous nerve recovery and reinnervation of ulnar nerve innervated intrinsic muscles [14].
  • Hand abduction tracings are a quantitative outcome measure to follow recovery over time for intrinsic hand function in patients with severe ulnar neuropathy following surgical intervention [11].
  • Surgeons should consider bifid median nerve anomalies when assessing patients with symptoms of median nerve compression [10].
  • Clear definitions of recurrence versus persistent compression neuropathy are needed for upper extremity revision nerve compression surgery [2].
  • Agreements on supplementary diagnostics and standardized outcome measurements are needed to enable comparing results from different techniques and clinics in upper extremity revision nerve compression surgery [2].

Key Evidence

  • [L5] By reviewing the current literature within the spectrum of median nerve entrapment neuropathies, this review aimed to enhance and summarize the current understanding by consolidating the existing knowledge for improved patient outcomes. [1] (10.1016/j.xrrt.2024.10.001)
  • [L5] The authors emphasize the need for clear definitions of recurrence versus persistent compression neuropathy, agreements on supplementary diagnostics, and standardized outcome measurements to enable comparing results from different techniques and clinics. [2] (10.1177/17531934241311822)
  • [L3] When signs and symptoms suggest mild-to-moderate median neuropathy and surgery is being considered, patients and clinicians might consider additional testing, such as EDS or US, to increase the probability of actual median neuropathy that can benefit from surgery. [3] (10.1097/corr.0000000000002751)
  • [L3] Upper-extremity neuropathy can develop following nonupper extremity surgeries, particularly ACDF. [4] (10.1016/j.jhsg.2026.100972)
  • [L3] In neuropathy rehabilitation, the assessment of position and tactile sensations should not be ignored in determining participation in manual skills. [5] (10.1016/j.jht.2024.12.005)
  • [L4] Neuropathy symptoms were often refractory to conservative management, while surgical decompression led to nearly 90% symptom resolution. [6] (10.1016/j.jseint.2024.05.011)
  • [L2] Patients with a history of ulnar nerve lesions are at a significantly increased risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, especially within the first 2 years. [7] (10.1016/j.jhsg.2026.100970)
  • [L2] As the severity of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow increases, the CSA of the ulnar nerve correspondingly increases at the elbow. [8] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2024.12.004)
  • [L3] Assessing QoL domains for two upper extremity conditions with different contextual factors provides insight into the implications of those factors on QoL. [9] (10.1016/j.jht.2024.11.006)
  • [L5] We encourage surgeons to bear such anomalies in mind when assessing patients with symptoms of median nerve compression. [10] (10.1177/17531934251401431)
  • [L4] Hand abduction tracings are a quantitative outcome measure to follow recovery over time for intrinsic hand function and can be used in patients with severe ulnar neuropathy following surgical intervention. [11] (10.1016/j.jht.2023.09.005)
  • [L5] There is a severe discordance between the estimated prevalence of mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome based on clinical signs and symptoms (73%) versus electrodiagnostic studies and ultrasound (51%), calling into question whether clinicians can confidently diagnose patients with mild-to-moderate CTS. [12] (10.1097/corr.0000000000002822)
  • [L4] If double crush syndrome is suspected but symptoms are mild, they may respond to conservative treatment, while invasive treatments should be initiated preferentially at sites with greater clinical suspicion. [13] (10.1186/s12891-024-07574-z)
  • [L4] Decompressing the patient's deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve allowed for spontaneous nerve recovery and reinnervation of his ulnar nerve innervated intrinsic muscles. [14] (10.1016/j.jhsg.2024.02.001)
  • [L3] More than 50% of patients who did not undergo carpal tunnel release at the initial surgery required a release within the follow-up period. [17] (10.1016/j.jhsg.2023.09.003)
  • [L4] Anterior interosseous nerve transfer, along with cubital and ulnar tunnel release, results in sustained clinical and electrophysiological improvements in patients with severe chronic ulnar nerve compression, which encourages its adoption as a standard treatment for severe chronic ulnar nerve compression. [18] (10.1177/17531934251381023)
  • [L2] These interventions are inexpensive, noninvasive, and easy to perform, so can be easily implemented into conventional therapy practice in any setting. [28] (10.1016/j.jht.2024.08.051)
  • [L4] The unique asymmetric neurologic innervation to the pectoralis minor predisposes the human shoulder to neurologic and musculoskeletal imbalance, producing the Human Disharmony Loop syndrome. [29] (10.3390/jcm14051769)
  • [L3] The contribution of the anconeus epitrochlearis to compression neuropathy or protection of the ulnar nerve could not be discerned for the standard population. [30] (10.1016/j.jse.2024.09.039)

References

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[2] Re: van der Heijden EPA, Dailiana ZH, Giele HP. State of the art review. Upper extremity revision nerve compression surgery. J Hand Surg Eur. 2024, 49: 687–97. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2025. DOI: 10.1177/17531934241311822

[3] Diagnosis of Mild-to-moderate Idiopathic Median Neuropathy at the Carpal Tunnel Based on Signs and Symptoms is Discordant From Diagnosis Based on Electrodiagnostic Studies and Ultrasound. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 2023. DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000002751

[4] Incidence of Median and Ulnar Neuropathy Following Nonupper Extremity Surgery. Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2026.100972

[5] The effect of wrist position sense and tactile recognition on manual skills in patients with upper extremity neuropathy. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2024.12.005

[6] The incidence and decompression rates of median and ulnar neuropathies following shoulder surgery. JSES International. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.jseint.2024.05.011

[7] Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome After the Diagnosis of Ulnar Neuropathy. Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online. 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2026.100970

[8] Association of Ultrasound and Electrodiagnostic Studies in Patients Evaluated for Ulnar Neuropathy. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2024.12.004

[9] A retrospective analysis of quality of life domains impacted by distal radius fracture and ulnar neuropathy. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2024.11.006

[10] Bifid median nerve entrapment by forearm musculature – a case report and systematic literature review. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2025. DOI: 10.1177/17531934251401431

[11] The hand diagram: A novel outcome measure following supercharged end-to-side anterior interosseous nerve to ulnar nerve transfer in severe compressive ulnar neuropathy. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2023.09.005

[12] CORR Insights®: Diagnosis of Mild-to-moderate Idiopathic Median Neuropathy at the Carpal Tunnel Based on Signs and Symptoms is Discordant From Diagnosis Based on Electrodiagnostic Studies and Ultrasound. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. 2023. DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000002822

[13] Double entrapment neuropathy of the ulnar nerve at the elbow and the wrist : double crush syndrome?. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2024. DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-07574-z

[14] Posttraumatic Compressive Neuropathy of the Deep Motor Branch of the Ulnar Nerve Caused by Heterotopic Ossification. Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsg.2024.02.001

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[18] Anterior interosseous nerve transfer combined with cubital and ulnar tunnel release for severe ulnar nerve compression. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2025. DOI: 10.1177/17531934251381023

[19] Green S Operative Hand Surgery. A Practical Guide for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in the Acute Stage and Late Stage > CRITICAL POINTS > Management of Patients With a Painful Median Nerve and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

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[25] A Lange Medical Book Current Diagnosis Treatment In Orthopedics Fifth Edition. 9Hand Surgery > DIAGNOSIS OF DISORDERS OF THE HAND.

[28] CRITICAL APPRAISAL PAPER: “SENSORY INTERVENTIONS ON MOTOR FUNCTION, ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING, AND SPASTICITY OF THE UPPER LIMB IN PEOPLE WITH STROKE: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL”. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2024.08.051

[29] The Human Disharmony Loop: A Case Series Proposing the Unique Role of the Pectoralis Minor in a Unifying Syndrome of Chronic Pain, Neuropathy, and Weakness. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.3390/jcm14051769

[30] Is the anconeus epitrochlearis muscle a predictor for ulnar nerve compression?. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2024.09.039