| Title | A prospective plan to minimise median nerve related complications associated with operatively treated distal radius fractures. | | Author(s) | Henry M, Stutz C | | Institution | Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hand and Wrist Center of Houston, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77004, USA. mhenry@houstonhand.com. | | Source | Hand Surg 2007; 12(3):199-204. | | Abstract | Loss of median nerve function or a neuropathic pain syndrome may occur in around 20% of distal radius fractures if post-traumatic oedema in the carpal canal generates excessive pressure on the median nerve. No method currently exists to reliably distinguish which patients may benefit from a concomitant carpal tunnel release. This case series details the results of following a prospective plan designed to minimise median nerve related complications associated with distal radius fractures by measuring Semmes-Weinstein monofilament scores in 374 radius fracture patients who underwent surgical stabilisation. One hundred and sixty-nine patients with the clinical symptoms of median nerve compression, a decrement in monofilament score of grade 1 (out of 5) compared to the contralateral side or at least 4.31 g underwent concomitant carpal tunnel release. The remaining 205 patients did not have carpal tunnel release. There were no cases of neuropathic pain or loss of median nerve function. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 18360927 |
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