Peripheral Nerve Entrapments of Upper Extremity among the Crutch or Cane Users

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, location, and risk factors for the peripheral nerve entrapments of upper extremity among the crutch or cane users. METHOD: We performed the clinical and electrodiagnostic assessments of both upper extremities in 43 crutch or cane users and 49 able-bodied controls. RESULTS: The prevalence for the nerve entrapment of upper extremity among the crutch or cane users was 27.9% by the clinical criteria and 86.0% by the electrodiagnostic criteria. Electrodiagnostically, the median nerve entrapment was 76.7%, and the ulnar nerve entrapment was 72.1% among the crutch or cane users. The carpal tunnel was the most common site for the entrapment. Body weight, duration of disability, and duration of crutch or cane use were found to be significantly correlated with the emtrapments of median nerve, whereas duration of crutch or cane use alone was significantly correlated with the entrapments of ulnar nerve. CONCLUSION: The peripheral nerve entrapments of upper extremity is associated with the chronic crutch or cane use and the preventive strategies need to be developed for the patients with risks.

Proteus Syndrome: A Case Report

The Proteus syndrome is a recently described congenital harmatosis consisting of numerous clinical features of great variety. Mainly affected are the musculoskeletal system, primarily by hemihypertrophy, macrodactyly, exostoses and kyphoscoliosis, and the skin and the subcutaneous tissue, primarily by pigmented nevi and subcutaneous tumors. These findings are diagnostic features of Proteus syndrome. We report typical manifestations of Proteus syndrome in a 12-year-old boy with brief review of literature.

Upper Extremity Peripheral Nerve Entrapments among Wheelchair Users

Pain, numbness, and weakness in the upper extremity are the common problems among wheelchair users. The prevalence of nerve injury of the upper extremity in the wheelchair users has been reported variously by many authors in other nations. To determine the prevalence, location, and risk factors of upper extremity peripheral nerve entrapment among wheelchair users, we performed clinical and electrodiagnostic assessments on both upper extremities of wheelchair users (n=49) and able-bodied controls (n=49). The prevalence of nerve entrapment of the upper extremity among the wheelchair users was 15.6% according to clinical criteria, and 46.9% according to electrodiagnostic criteria. Electrodiagnostically, median nerve entrapment was identified in 28.6% of tested cases, and ulnar nerve entrapment was identified in 22.4% of tested cases among wheelchair users. The carpal tunnel was the most common site of nerve entrapment. The duration of wheelchair use was found to be correlated negatively with median wrist to palm and wrist to digit sensory conduction velocity, whereas age correlated positively with distal median and ulnar motor latency.