Füsun Şahin

The correlation of neurophysiological findings with clinical and functional status in patients following traumatic nerve injury.

In this study, we aimed to determine whether there is a correlation between the electrodiagnostic findings and the functional status, muscle strength and sensibility in patients with traumatic nerve injury to the wrists. We assessed 50 patients at a mean of 11.6 months (SD 5.85) (range 6–25) after nerve injury. Sensibility was assessed by monofilament testing. Motor function was evaluated by assessing the manual muscle grade of the abductor pollicis brevis and abductor digiti minimi muscles. Function was evaluated by the Sollerman Hand Function Test. The amplitudes of the compound muscle action potential and the sensory nerve action potential were determined by electroneuromyography. While the compound muscle action potential and sensory nerve action potential amplitudes had significant correlation with muscle grade and Semmes Weinstein Monofilament tests, there was no correlation with the functional scores.

Factors affecting the results of the functional dexterity test

Study Design: Cross‐sectional study. Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study was to identify which demographic and anthropometric features affect performance (time) on the functional dexterity test (FDT). Methods: One hundred fifty‐two healthy subjects between the ages of 20 and 80 years were included in this cross‐sectional study. Demographic characteristics (age, gender, height, weight, and dominant hand) and anthropometric (the girths of the first 3 fingers) variables were recorded, and the FDT (net time and total score) was performed. Results: Hand dexterity (time) was slower in participants aged 60 years (35.7 ± 9.4 seconds) and older compared with those aged 40–59 (27.1 ± 7.2 seconds) years and 20–39 (23.9 ± 4.9 seconds) years (P < .001 for both) in dominant side. Discussion: There was no significant difference between males (29.1 ± 9 in dominant hands and 30.9 ± 9.5 in nondominant hands) and females (27.9 ± 8.4 in dominant hands and 30.8 ± 8.1 in nondominant hands) in all groups in terms of FDT net time. The factors associated with hand dexterity were age in dominant hands (R2 = 0.321) and age and thickness of the second and third fingers in nondominant hands (R2 = 0.282). Conclusion: FDT scores increased with increasing age for both dominant and nondominant hands. Finger thickness, especially in nondominant hands, should be taken into account while evaluating FDT scores because of its negative effect on dexterity. Level of Evidence: Level 2.

Evaluation of relationship between pes planus and axial pain in medical school students

Purpose:To investigate the presence of axial pain and variables related with pain in students with pes planus. Materials and Methods:Demographical (age, gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), smoking habit), clinical (presence of axial pain, localisation of the pain; cervical, thoracal, thorocolumbar, lumbar, frequency of pain, the most painfull conditions, status of physical activity) data of 100 students who were willing to participate in the study were recorded. Foot arch was evaluated by Staheli index which was calculated from the measurements of foot prints obtained by Harris mat . Results:Fifty 50 female (%50) and 50 male (%50) participants with the mean age of 22.5±1.16 years were evaluated. There were 48 (%48) participants with pain, and 52 (%52) participants without pain. When participants were classified as unilateral pes planus (n=18), bilateral pes planus (n=35) and normal (n=47) according to Staheli index, weight/BMI was higher in groups with pes planus (p<0.05). There was axial pain in 55.3 % (n=26) of normal participants, 38.9% (n=7) of unilateral pes planus, and 54.3% (n=19) of bilateral pes planus. Relationship between presence of pes planus and lumbar pain was not detected (p>0.05). Painful participants with bilateral pes planus and participants with bilateral normal feet are combined and defined as symmetrical group. Localisation of pain was compaired between symmetrical group and asymmetrical group (painfull participants with unilateral pes planus). There was pain in 45% (n=37) of symmetrical group (n=82), and in 61% (n=11) of asymmetrical group (n=18), and the difference was significant (p<0.05). There was more pain on thoracal region in participants with asymmetrical disorder, and more pain on thoracolumbar/lumbar region in participants with symmetrical condition.

Radial sinir duyusal dalının iki taraflı izole kesisi

Bilateral injuries of the sensory branch of the radial nerve (SBRN) usually occur as a result of tight-handcuff neuropathy. In this case we aimed to present bilateral isolated cut of SBRN resulting an injury mechanism that has not been reported in the literature previously. A male twenty-four years old, a worker in a glass factory, presented to our clinic. The dorsolateral skin of his wrists were cut by breaking of the glass as a result of occupational accident and was primarily sutured in a healthcare center. The patient sought additional care after a month because of lingering numbness and pain, and surgery was planned. During surgery, scar tissue and neuroma at the cut ends of SBRN were excised, and bilateral SBRN cuts were repaired. Four weeks after operation, mild sensory deficit on the dorsal side of bilateral thumbs, and left first web space and flexion limitation on the right wrist were detected. At the 3rd month postoperative, right wrist joint range of motion was full, and sensory deficits, and hyperesthesia were decreased. The SBRN elicits the sensory innervation of the thumb dorsum and its injury does not cause important functional deficit. However because of susceptibility of SBRN to develop painful neuroma, diagnosis, treatment and follow up of isolated SBRN injury would be worthwhile for prevention of possible painful neuropathy disturbing quality of life.