The Effects of Partial Wrist Denervation on Chronic Wrist Pain

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate analgesic benefit, patient satisfaction, range of motion and grip power of the patients after partial wrist denervation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 12 patients with chronic wrist pain treated with partial denervation. Mean age of the patients was 65 years. The leading cause of the pain was Kienbock's disease (7 cases). Berger's partial denervation technique was used, in which distal branches of the anterior and posterior interosseous nerve were resected through dorsal longitudinal incision. We recorded visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and range of motion and grip power for functional evaluation. RESULTS: Preoperative VAS for pain decreased from a mean of 6.1 to 1.5 during early postoperative period and 2.3 at the final follow-up (p<0.01). Flexion-extension and grip power improved significantly after surgery. All the patients could return to their daily activity. Ten patients (83%) showed satisfaction. CONCLUSION: It seems that partial denervation for chronic pain of the wrist is an easy technique that can provide satisfactory pain relief with preserving the wrist motion.