Electromyographical changes of the median nerve in the presence and absence of the palmaris longus

Abstract

Objective: To examine the sensorial electromyographic (EMG) changes in median nerve (MN) due to the presence of the palmaris longus (PL) muscle. Methodology: After examining the presence/absence of PL in the dominant hand of 234 individuals with Schaeffer, Thompson, Pushpakumar and Mishra’s clinical tests, EMG measurements were made for all. Group 1 consisted of 177 individuals without PL and Group 2 of 57 individuals with PL. All were evaluated for carpaltunnel syndrome (CTS). Of 234 people, 38 had CTS, and 6 of the mdid not have PL, while 32 had PL. Results: There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of MN conduction velocity and latency (p > 0.05). There was no difference in sensorial EMG values between individuals with and without PL in individuals with CTS (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The presence orabsence of the PL muscle did not make a difference in the MN sensory EMG values.