UC San Diego

Cubital tunnel syndrome is an example of a nerve entrapment syndrome where the ulnar nerve is compressed by the surrounding muscles and tissues of the cubital tunnel. Symptoms of peripheral nerve entrapment include pain, numbness, and reduced motor function. Peripheral nerve decompression is one clinical management strategy for nerve entrapment syndromes that involves physically decompressing the nerve from its surrounding muscle and tissues in order the reduce the compression that is experienced by the nerve. The vascular changes that occur to the endogenous and exogenous vascular systems of peripheral nerves following peripheral nerve decompression are not fully understood. In this study, blood perfusion measurements were recorded via laser doppler flowmetry before and after peripheral nerve decompression in the sciatic nerves of rats. We found that peripheral nerve decompression resulted in a significant decrease in blood perfusion to the distal portion of sciatic nerve that is under tension. However, these vascular deficits were reversed within 6 weeks after the decompression surgery. This study is intended to display the unintended effects on the vascular system following peripheral nerve decompression.