PREVALENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MEDIAN, RADIAL, AND ULNAR NERVE INVOLVEMENT AMONG ADULTS WITH NEUROGENIC CERVICOBRACHIAL PAIN: A CROSS SECTIONAL OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Neurogenic cervicobrachial pain (NCBP) is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by neck pain radiating to the upper limb due to involvement of cervical nerve roots and peripheral nerves. Accurate identification of the affected peripheral nerve is essential for appropriate diagnosis and targeted physiotherapy management. However, limited literature is available regarding the prevalence of median, radial, and ulnar nerve involvement in adults with neurogenic cervicobrachial pain. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of median, radial, and ulnar nerve involvement among adults aged 25–45 years with neurogenic cervicobrachial pain. Materials And Methods: An observational prevalence study was conducted over a period of six months in Nashik and the surrounding region. A total of 227 participants aged 25–45 years diagnosed with neurogenic cervicobrachial pain were recruited using systematic probability sampling. Participants underwent a standardized clinical assessment that included active and passive cervical movement testing, Spurling's test, palpation of cervical transverse processes, Upper Limb Neurodynamic Tests (ULTTs) for the median, radial, and ulnar nerves, and palpation of peripheral nerve trunks. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence of nerve involvement and to analyze gender- and side-wise distribution. Results: Among the 227 participants, the median nerve demonstrated the highest prevalence of involvement, affecting 140 participants (61.67%), followed by the radial nerve in 70 participants (30.84%) and the ulnar nerve in 17 participants (7.49%). Females constituted the majority of the study population (56.39%, n = 128), while males accounted for 43.61% (n = 99). Right-sided symptoms were observed in 122 participants (53.74%), whereas left-sided involvement was noted in 105 participants (46.26%). Conclusion: This study concludes that the median nerve is the most commonly involved peripheral nerve in adults aged 25–45 years with neurogenic cervicobrachial pain followed by the radial and ulnar nerves. A slightly higher prevalence was observed among females and in right-sided involvement. These findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive neurodynamic assessment, particularly of the median nerve to facilitate accurate diagnosis and guide targeted physiotherapy interventions for individuals with neurogenic cervicobrachial pain.