EFFECTS OF NERVE GLIDING EXERCISES ON ULNAR-SIDED WRIST PAIN

Investigation of the Effects of Nerve Gliding Exercises on Pain, Function, Joint Position Sense and Weight-Bearing Tolerance in Patients With Ulnar-Sided Wrist Pain

The purpose of this study is to learn if adding specific "nerve gliding" exercises to a standard physical therapy program helps reduce pain and improve hand function in people with ulnar-sided (pinky side) wrist pain.

Participants who have had wrist pain for at least 3 months will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups will receive a standard treatment program that includes patient education, activity modification, massage, and ice application. One group will also perform specific nerve gliding exercises for the ulnar nerve.

Researchers will evaulate pain level, hand function, strength, weight-bearing tolerance, and joint position sense at the beginning and after 4 weeks of treatment to see if the exercises provide extra benefit. The study treatment period lasts for 4 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being over 18 years of age.
• History of ulnar-sided wrist pain lasting for at least 3 months.
• Diagnosis of ulnar-sided wrist pain confirmed by a hand surgeon, which may include: fractures or dislocations of the 4th and 5th metacarpals, hamate, triquetrum, lunate, pisiform, distal ulna, or distal radius; Lunotriquetral ligament tears; Kienböck's disease; Ulnar impaction syndrome; Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) injury; carpal instabilities; DRUJ instability; pisotriquetral arthritis; DRUJ arthritis; extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon subluxation; or tendinitis of the ECU, extensor digiti minimi, and flexor carpi ulnaris.
• Adequate cognitive level (scoring 22 or above on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of other diseases involving the hand and wrist (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren's disease).
• History of traumatic injury to the hand, wrist, and/or forearm within the last 3 months.
• History of surgery on the hand, wrist, and/or forearm within the last 6 months.
• Currently receiving treatment for hand and wrist problems.