Pinch strength analyses in lacertus syndrome

Purpose: Lacertus syndrome is defined as proximal median nerve entrapment at the lacertus fibrosus. We aimed to analyze change in pinch strengths in patients who underwent median nerve release at the lacertus fibrosus under WALANT (wide-awake local anesthesia, no tourniquet).Methods: Pinch strength was measured with a pinch gauge. Subjective DASH score and pain, numbness in the operated extremity and satisfaction on visual analog scales were analyzed before and 6 weeks after surgery.Results: There were 32 patients. Median nerve release under the lacertus fibrosus elicited statistically significant increases in tip-to-tip, lateral and tripod pinch strength at postoperative week 6. Improvements in DASH score, pain and paresthesia were also statistically significant.Conclusions: For lacertus syndrome treatment, mini-incision release of the lacertus fibrosus under WALANT was satisfactory and increased pinch strength significatively. Level of evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV - Case series. ⠂C 2023 SFCM. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.