TY - JOUR KW - Age Factors KW - Humans KW - Humidity KW - Materials Testing KW - Neural Conduction KW - Observer Variation KW - Pain Perception KW - Peripheral Nervous System Diseases KW - Physical Stimulation KW - Risk Factors KW - Sensitivity and Specificity KW - Sensory Thresholds KW - Skin KW - Temperature AU - Haloua MH AU - Sierevelt I AU - Theuvenet W AB -

PURPOSE: To determine whether the buckling force of Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments is influenced by changes in temperature, humidity, and aging.

METHODS: We tested 16 Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments from North Coast Medical, varying in age from new to 12 years old. From each kit, we used the 2.83/0.07 g, 3.61/0.4 g, 4.31/2g, and 4.56/4 g filaments. Four observers tested the filaments under temperature/humidity conditions of 26°C/33%, 26°C/80%, 37°C/33%, and 37°C/80%.

RESULTS: Air temperature and humidity both significantly influence buckling force. At 26°C/33% the buckling force varies by an average of 2% from the standard data supplied by the manufacturer, whereas in the other 3 conditions (26°C/80%, 37°C/33%, and 37°C/80%), the buckling force can decrease by as much as 39%. Effect of age was small and not clinically relevant.

CONCLUSIONS: The significant changes in buckling force of the Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments in different temperature and humidity conditions might lead to a potential misinterpretation by the examiner regarding the level of peripheral nerve function loss. This could lead to incorrect diagnosis and treatment.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Examiners should be aware when using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments that the environmental effects of temperature and humidity can affect the accuracy of measurement.

BT - The Journal of hand surgery C1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21712138?dopt=Abstract CN - HALOUA 2011 DA - 2011 Jul DO - 10.1016/j.jhsa.2011.04.009 IS - 7 J2 - J Hand Surg Am LA - eng N2 -

PURPOSE: To determine whether the buckling force of Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments is influenced by changes in temperature, humidity, and aging.

METHODS: We tested 16 Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments from North Coast Medical, varying in age from new to 12 years old. From each kit, we used the 2.83/0.07 g, 3.61/0.4 g, 4.31/2g, and 4.56/4 g filaments. Four observers tested the filaments under temperature/humidity conditions of 26°C/33%, 26°C/80%, 37°C/33%, and 37°C/80%.

RESULTS: Air temperature and humidity both significantly influence buckling force. At 26°C/33% the buckling force varies by an average of 2% from the standard data supplied by the manufacturer, whereas in the other 3 conditions (26°C/80%, 37°C/33%, and 37°C/80%), the buckling force can decrease by as much as 39%. Effect of age was small and not clinically relevant.

CONCLUSIONS: The significant changes in buckling force of the Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments in different temperature and humidity conditions might lead to a potential misinterpretation by the examiner regarding the level of peripheral nerve function loss. This could lead to incorrect diagnosis and treatment.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Examiners should be aware when using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments that the environmental effects of temperature and humidity can affect the accuracy of measurement.

PY - 2011 SP - 1191 EP - 6 T2 - The Journal of hand surgery TI - Semmes-weinstein monofilaments: influence of temperature, humidity, and age. VL - 36 SN - 1531-6564 ER -