Elbow motion induces greater median nerve excursion and lower shear strain than wrist or finger motion in healthy volunteers

Tomažin, Tjaša (avtor), Omejec, Gregor (avtor), Umek, Nejc (avtor), Jengojan, Suren Armeni (avtor), Kamnik, Roman (avtor), Mandeljc, Ana (avtor), Snoj, Žiga (avtor)

Introduction/Aims: Previous ultrasound (US)-based assessments of median nerve (MN) displacement within the carpal tun-nel have shown inconsistent results due to methodological variability. Quantitative data on how different upper-limb movementsaffect MN displacement and shear strain at the wrist remain scarce. This study aimed to quantify MN longitudinal displacementand shear strain during finger, wrist, and elbow movements in healthy individuals to establish normative patterns of nerve glid-ing and deformation.Methods: Twenty healthy subjects (13 females; mean age: 31.9 years, range: 27–36 years) were prospectively recruited. US vid-eos captured MN motion during middle finger, wrist, and elbow movements. A custom robotic device ensured consistent wristmotion and forearm stability. Speckle-tracking software was used to analyze MN absolute longitudinal displacement, relativedisplacement to adjacent deep and superficial tissues, and normalized shear strain at both interfaces.Results: Elbow motion resulted in significantly greater MN absolute displacement (3.8 ± 1.2 mm) and displacement relative todeep tissue (3.6 ± 1.2 mm), compared to finger or wrist motion. No significant differences were observed in MN displacementrelative to superficial tissue across motions. Normalized shear strain at the deep interface was lowest during elbow motion(41.8 ± 16.6 mm−1). Significant differences were found for wrist-to-elbow and finger-to-elbow motions, but not for finger-to-wristmotions.Discussion: Presented findings highlight the importance of joint-specific contributions to MN motion and suggest that proximaljoint movements, such as at the elbow, may promote more effective nerve excursion while minimizing shear strain. This knowl-edge may help refine nerve current mobilization approaches.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: dynamic ultrasound, longitudinal displacement, median nerve, shear strain, speckle tracking
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: MF - Medicinska fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: Str. 1-7
• Številčenje: Vol. , iss.
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-179370
• UDK: 616-07
• ISSN pri članku: 1097-4598
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.70136
• COBISS.SI-ID: 266151939
• Datum objave v RUL: 12.02.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Muscle & nerve
• Skrajšan naslov: Muscle nerve
• Založnik: John Wiley & Sons
• ISSN: 1097-4598
• COBISS.SI-ID: 512824601

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva-Nekomercialno-Brez predelav 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: Najbolj omejujoča licenca Creative Commons. Uporabniki lahko prenesejo in delijo delo v nekomercialne namene in ga ne smejo uporabiti za nobene druge namene.