Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Athetoid-Dystonic Cerebral Palsy

Peripheral Nerve Disorders

“…Radiculo-myelopathy [ 1 ] and carpal tunnel syndrome [ 2 ] have been described in persons with long-standing choreoathetotic cerebral palsy (CP). The long-standing movement disorder with intense fl exion, extension and mostly rotation of the neck is probably the main factor in this condition.…”

“…The spondylitic changes in persons with dystonic CP are more often at the C3-C4 levels, joints more involved in the rotation of the head, than at the C4-C5, C5-C6 level, joints more involved with fl exion extension movement [ 1 ]. Mechanical factors are also responsible for carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve compression [ 2 ]; in these cases a "double crushed" syndrome can also be postulated. In cases of entrapment neuropathies, surgery is indicated to prevent further damage and also to relieve the pain.…”

Entrapment neuropathy in patients with spastic cerebral palsy

“…To date, there have been few (usually anecdotal) reports regarding nerve entrapment in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) (9), probably because the marked deformities and motor function impairment caused by this disease may mask the motor or sensory signs caused by a nerve lesion. Furthermore, most patients present mental retardation and a low expressive ability, which means that pain and other nerve compression‐related symptoms go unreported.…”