OBJECTIVE: To determine if substitution of shoulder internal rotation for external rotation during the upper limb neurodynamic test (ULNT3) evokes comparable ulnar nerve sensory responses in asymptomatic individuals. METHODS: Range of motion, quality, quantity, and distribution of sensory responses in 50 asymptomatic individuals during the traditional ULNT3 were compared to identical measures during an experimental maneuver using shoulder internal rotation. Quality and quantity of sensory responses were recorded using a 10-cm visual analog scale. RESULTS: Means of sensory responses for traditional and experimental maneuvers, respectively, were as follows: stretching, 3.84 ± 8.85 and 5.38 ± 2.85 cm; burning, 1.82 ± 2.82 and 2.50 ± 3.10 cm; tingling, 2.13 ± 3.12 and 2.18 ± 2.97 cm; and numbness, 1.04 ± 2.17 and 1.01 ± 2.03 cm. A moderate to strong correlation (ICC = 0.51-0.86) was shown to exist between maneuvers; this relationship was significant (p = .001). DISCUSSION: Results of this study provide evidence that there was no appreciable difference in sensory responses with regard to burning and tingling when substituting shoulder internal rotation for external rotation during the ULNT3. The results also suggest that there were only marginal differences in the sensory responses of stretching and numbness during the same substitution. CONCLUSION: Patients who have limited glenohumeral external rotation due to pain, instability, and/or articular limitation may benefit from this substitution when presenting with signs of ulnar nerve pathodynamics. Further research will be needed to validate this maneuver in a symptomatic population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2b.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if substitution of shoulder internal rotation for external rotation during the upper limb neurodynamic test (ULNT3) evokes comparable ulnar nerve sensory responses in asymptomatic individuals. METHODS: Range of motion, quality, quantity, and distribution of sensory responses in 50 asymptomatic individuals during the traditional ULNT3 were compared to identical measures during an experimental maneuver using shoulder internal rotation. Quality and quantity of sensory responses were recorded using a 10-cm visual analog scale. RESULTS: Means of sensory responses for traditional and experimental maneuvers, respectively, were as follows: stretching, 3.84 ± 8.85 and 5.38 ± 2.85 cm; burning, 1.82 ± 2.82 and 2.50 ± 3.10 cm; tingling, 2.13 ± 3.12 and 2.18 ± 2.97 cm; and numbness, 1.04 ± 2.17 and 1.01 ± 2.03 cm. A moderate to strong correlation (ICC = 0.51-0.86) was shown to exist between maneuvers; this relationship was significant (p = .001). DISCUSSION: Results of this study provide evidence that there was no appreciable difference in sensory responses with regard to burning and tingling when substituting shoulder internal rotation for external rotation during the ULNT3. The results also suggest that there were only marginal differences in the sensory responses of stretching and numbness during the same substitution. CONCLUSION:Patients who have limited glenohumeral external rotation due to pain, instability, and/or articular limitation may benefit from this substitution when presenting with signs of ulnar nerve pathodynamics. Further research will be needed to validate this maneuver in a symptomatic population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2b.
Authors: Ian K Y Lo; Blake Nonweiler; Michael Woolfrey; Robert Litchfield; Alexandra Kirkley Journal: Am J Sports Med Date: 2004-03 Impact factor: 6.202
Authors: Annina B Schmid; Florian Brunner; Hannu Luomajoki; Ulrike Held; Lucas M Bachmann; Sabine Künzer; Michel W Coppieters Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2009-01-21 Impact factor: 2.362