Yin, H., Nair, K.P.S. orcid.org/0000-0002-4004-2315, Rao, D.G. et al. (3 more authors) (2020) Upper limb entrapment neuropathies in multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental, Translational and Clinical, 6 (2). ISSN 2055-2173
Abstract
Introduction
Entrapment neuropathies of upper limbs such as carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndromes are common in the general population. Identification of entrapment neuropathies of upper limbs in patients with multiple sclerosis can be clinically challenging as signs and symptoms could be attributed to multiple sclerosis. People at later stages of multiple sclerosis use mobility aids and wheelchairs. Weakness of hands in this cohort due to entrapment neuropathies could adversely affect their mobility and independence.
Methods
This was a retrospective review of records of patients with multiple sclerosis referred for clinical neurophysiological studies with clinical suspicion of upper limb entrapment neuropathies over a 10-year period. We collected demographic details, clinical features, clinical neurophysiological data and details of aids and appliances used for mobility.
Results
Among 71 patients, 38 (53.5%) patients had at least one entrapment neuropathy of upper limb confirmed by clinical neurophysiological studies. Twelve (31%) patients had median nerve entrapment, 20 (53%) had ulnar nerve entrapment and six (16%) had both. Risk of ulnar nerve entrapment was significantly higher in patients using a powered wheelchair (odds ratio 5.7, 95% confidence interval (1.7–18.7, p = 0.0037).
Discussion
Entrapment neuropathies should be considered in patients with multiple sclerosis reporting sensory and motor symptoms of hands.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020 The Authors. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). |
Keywords: | Multiple sclerosis; rehabilitation; upper limb; entrapment neuropathies; carpel tunnel syndrome; cubital tunnel syndrome |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Sheffield Teaching Hospitals |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 16 Jun 2020 14:13 |
Last Modified: | 16 Jun 2020 14:55 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | SAGE Publications |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1177/2055217320930774 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:161891 |