Sonographic Measurement of Intraneural Blood Flow in the Median Nerve

Enhancing Sonographic Measurement of Intraneural Blood Flow in the Median Nerve

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common nerve compression disease and the most expensive upper-extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorder, affecting approximately 10 million people in the US. To understand the clear etiology and mechanism of carpal tunnel syndrome, the measurement of median nerve intraneural blood flow needs to be further scrutinized as the common fluctuating physiological conditions and functional hand activities might contribute to the fluctuation of the measurement and serve as measurement error. This study aims to examine how intraneural blood flow within the median nerve is affected by physiological factors (i.e., body temperature and blood pressure) and functional hand activities (i.e., typing, using a mouse, and cooking).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18 to 65
• English-speaking
• Ability to endure a moderate-intensity physical activity
• Ability to type without looking at the keyboard

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hand or wrist region within the past week
• History of corticoid injection in the upper extremity
• History of surgery in the wrist region
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Pregnant
• Positive Phalen's test
• Persistent median artery within wrist region
• Bifid median nerve