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.