[Symptoms of the compression of median nerve in patients after fractures of the distal radius treated operatively].

Pain intensity in the affected hand averaged 2.8 points in 0-10 scale, the Levine symptom score amounted a mean of 2.1 (range 1.0-3.7) and the Levine function score amounted a mean of 2.1 (range 1.0-5.0). Nine patients had score at least 3 in both symptom and function sub-scales of the Levine form, suggesting carpal tunnel syndrome. However, at the assessment at a mean of 15 months thereafter, none of these patients were treated for carpal tunnel syndrome, although, five of them still suffered from similar symptoms. The results of this study show transient character of compressions symptoms on the median nerve In patients after fractures of the distal radius, and, moreover, suggest poor validity and specificity of the Levine questionnaire as the diagnostic tool in suspicion of carpal tunnel syndrome associated with other diseases and injuries of the hand.