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Predictive value of metacarpophalangeal stabilization tests for simulated ulnar nerve lesion measured by a sensor
Nikolaus Johannes Wachter1, Martin Mentzel2, Gert D Krischak3
1Clinic of Hand, Plastic and Microsurgery, Katharinenhospital, Klinikum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
Study Design:
A within-subject research design was used in this study. The difference of the range of motion (ROM) with and without ulnar nerve block was analyzed.
Introduction:
For the clinical evaluation of the functional effects of ulnar nerve palsy at the hand the relevance of clinical tests is in discussion.
Purpose Of The Study:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of 2 clinical tests for a simulated ulnar nerve lesion by motion analysis with a sensor glove.
Methods:
In 28 healthy subjects, dynamic measurements of the finger joints were performed by a sensor glove with and without ulnar nerve block at the wrist. In the 0° metacarpophalangeal (MCP) stabilization test, the subjects were asked to stabilize the MCP joints actively in 0° while moving the interphalangeal joints, whereas at the 90° MCP stabilization test, the subjects stabilized the MCP joints actively in the 90° position.
Results:
In the 0° MCP stabilization test, no remarkable changes of the ROM were found at the MCP joints; at the proximal interphalangeal joints 2-5, the ROM decreased with ulnar nerve block, significantly at the index, middle, and ring fingers (P < .05). In the 90° MCP stabilization test, the average ROM of the MCP joints 2-5 significantly increased with ulnar nerve block (P < .05), whereas at the PIP joints, the average ROM decreased (P < .05).
Discussion:
The 90° MCP stabilization test had a high predictive value for the discrimination between healthy subjects and subjects with a simulated peripheral ulnar nerve lesion.
Conclusions:
The results could be relevant for the determination of the functional effect of ulnar nerve palsy and the quantification of clawing in hand rehabilitation.
Level Of Evidence:
II.
