Relationship between ultrasonographic hand muscle thickness measurements and muscle strength following median or ulnar nerve reconstruction

Abstract

Introduction: the aim of this study was to assess the relationship between ultrasonographic hand muscle thickness measurements and hand muscle strength in patients who underwent median or ulnar nerve reconstruction. Methods: in this prospective, cross-sectional study, intrinsic hand muscle thicknesses were measured using ultrasound with a 4- to 13-MHz linear-array probe. Measurements of hand strength were performed using a dynamometer and a pinchmeter. Results: in the median nerve group (n = 11), a moderate correlation (r = 0.694; P =.018) was observed between lateral pinch strength and transverse thenar thickness. In the ulnar nerve group (n = 11), longitudinal thenar thickness below the flexor pollicis longus tendon was moderate to highly correlated with pinch and handgrip strengths (r = 0.726-0.893; P <.05); whole transverse thenar thickness was moderate to highly correlated with pinch strengths (r = 0.724-0.836; P <.05). Discussion: sonographic measurements of intrinsic hand muscle thickness may be a useful tool for the assessment and follow-up of patients with median or ulnar nerve injury.