Intersection syndrome in Buriram Hospital: a 4-yr prospective study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence, demographic characteristics, symptoms, treatment, and outcome of patients who presented to Buriram Provincial hospital and were diagnosed with intersection syndrome.

Design: This was a 4-yr prospective study that included all patients with new complaints of forearm and hand pain who presented to Buriram hospital as inpatients or outpatients.

Results: The prevalence of intersection syndrome was found to be 0.37% of all patients (8080) with arm or hand pain. Of the 30 patients presenting with intersection syndrome, all had forearm pain, 22 (73.3%) had swelling, and 12 (40%) had crepitus noted in the intersected region. Fourteen (46.7%) patients reported pain provoked with twisting hand motions with radial deviations, 4 (13.3%) with pulling, and 12 (40%) with combinations of multiple hand movements (threshing, planting, hammering, hand washing, spraying and cementing). The majority of the patients were male (70%) farmers (60%). Twenty-nine patients received nonoperative treatment, including modified work activities to reduce stress on the wrist, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, and analgesic medications. One patient received only analgesic medication. One patient additionally required a resting hand splint. Every patient was seen for follow-up within the next 7 days. By 12-18 months posttreatment, there were only 14 patients (46.6%) remaining in follow-up, none with any symptom recurrence.

Conclusion: Intersection syndrome is a relatively uncommon, overused syndrome that is associated with repeated radial deviation of the wrist and responds favorably to conservative treatment.