Persistent Mechanical Allodynia Following Injury of the Hand: Treatment Through Mobilization of the Nervous System

Abstract

Mechanical allodynia (MA) following hand injury is a well-documented clinical problem. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the relationship between hand MA and the upper limb tension test (ULTT). The ULTT mechanically stresses the neural structures from the C5/6/7 neural foramina to the median nerve distally. This study examined 29 subjects with unilateral hand MA before and after a 2-week neural self-mobilization programme. There was a significant difference between the subjects' affected and unaffected sides when tested using the ULTT, both in reproduction of symptoms and in reduced range of motion of the ULTT. Following the self-mobilization program, there was an improvement in the range of the ULTT, and subjects reported a reduction in their symptoms. Complete recovery was not obtained in all cases. The results of this study suggest that the ULTT is a useful tool both in assessment and treatment of subjects with hand MA.