Naredo E, Murillo-González J, Mérida Velasco JR, Olivas Vergara O, Kalish RA, Gómez-Moreno C, García-Carpintero Blas E, Fuensalida-Novo G, Canoso JJ. Examining the Forearm Intersection through Palpation and Ultrasonography.
Diagnostics (Basel) 2024;
14:116. [PMID:
38201426 PMCID:
PMC10802148 DOI:
10.3390/diagnostics14010116]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Forearm intersection syndrome causes pain, swelling, and a rub at the dorsal distal forearm where the first extensor compartment muscles intersect with the second compartment tendons. Although primary care settings tend to treat mild cases, high-performance athletes may suffer from severe symptoms that require surgery. This proof-of-concept study aims to help detect the anatomical substrate of forearm intersection syndrome using palpation and ultrasonography when available.
METHODS
Five individuals were studied using independent palpation and ultrasonography to identify the first dorsal compartment muscles and the second dorsal compartment tendons. The distances between the dorsal (Lister's) tubercle of the radius and the ulnar and radial edges of the first dorsal compartment muscles were measured to determine the location and extent of the muscle-tendon intersection. The palpatory and ultrasonographic measurements were compared using descriptive statistics and the paired t-test.
RESULTS
The mean distances from the dorsal tubercle of the radius to the ulnar and radial borders of the first dorsal compartment muscles were 4.0 cm (SE 0.42) and 7.7 cm (SE 0.56), respectively, based on palpation. By ultrasonography, the corresponding distances were 3.5 cm (SD 1.05, SE 0.47) and 7.0 cm (SD 1.41, SE 0.63). Both methods showed a similar overlap length. However, ultrasonography revealed a shorter distance between the dorsal tubercle of the radius and the ulnar border of the first compartment than palpation (p = 0.0249).
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that a basic knowledge of anatomy should help health professionals diagnose forearm intersection syndrome through palpation and, if available, ultrasonography.
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