Changes in the Tension of the Flexor Carpi Ulnar Muscle With the Tensioning of the Ulnar Nerve by Shear-wave Elastography: a Pilot Study

Once each subject has signed the informed consent document and it has been verified that the inclusion criteria are met, it will be assigned the same identification number (ID) that is related to its Clinical History (CH) by simple coding; custody of the file with the relationship of each ID with its CH will be the responsibility of the principal investigator.

Body placement: The participants will be placed in the supine position with the hips and knees bent, in such a way that the soles of the feet rest on the plane of the stretcher. the palm of the hand of the left extremity will rest on the abdomen and the head in a neutral position, with the maximum relaxation of the sternocleidomastoids.

Upper limb placement: The right extremity will be placed in abduction of 90°, the elbow to flexion of 10° and the forearm to 30° of supination. Wrist and joints metacarpophalangic (mcf), proximal interphalangeal (ifp) and distal interphalangeal (ifp) of the first three fingers in full extension. The articulations mcf, ifp, ifd of the fourth and fifth fingers in a relaxed position. In this position, the first ultrasound measurement will be taken.

Tension maneuver of the ulnar nerve: An expert researcher in mobilization of neural tissue will perform an extension of fourth and fifth finger, respecting the initial parameters that are maintained in position by the splint. To do this, he will use the index and middle of his left hand and make a contact on the palmar side of the fingers and a back pressure with the thumb on the back of the hand. Next, it will extend the fingers until the exponential resistance following the path of elastic deformation (linear resistance) of the tensioned tissues is perceived. At this time the new ultrasound record will be made.

Ultrasound records: A Toshiba ai800 ultrasound scanner (Toshiba Medical Corporation, Japan) with a multifrequency linear probe plt-1005bt 14l5 (5-14 Mhz) will be used. The identification number (ID) registered in the ultrasound will correspond to the participant number.