Analysis of the Movement of the Median Nerve during Upper Limb Motion

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate median nerve movement during upper limb motions. [Subjects] The subjects were 12 healthy adults. [Methods] Ultrasound images of the median nerve in the middle forearm were taken during active finger flexion and median nerveneurodynamic testing. The transverse distance, cross-sectional area, perimeter and the ratio of the major axis of the ellipse of best fit to the minor axis were calculated and compared between before and after upper limb motion. [Results] During active finger flexion and median nerve neurodynamic testing, the median nerve was moved in the transverse direction according to movement of the muscles. Movements differed among individuals. No significant changes were found in cross-sectional area, perimeter, and the ratio between the major and minor axes of the ellipse of best fit. [Conclusion] The median nerve was moved transversely according to the tissue around the nerve. These movements were different among subjects and suggest the individuality of median nerve sliding.