Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common compression neuropathy in the upper
extremity. Patients complain of numbness in the ring and small fingers, as well as
hand weakness. Advanced disease is complicated by irreversible muscle atrophy and
hand contractures. Ulnar nerve decompression can help to alleviate symptoms and prevent
more advanced stages of dysfunction. Many surgical treatments exist for the treatment
of cubital tunnel syndrome. In situ decompression, transposition of the ulnar nerve into the subcutaneous, intramuscular,
or submuscular plane, or medial epicondylectomy have all been shown to be affective
in the treatment of this disease process. Comparative studies have shown some short–term
advantages to one or another technique, but overall results between the treatments
have essentially been equivocal. The choice of surgical treatment is based on multiple
factors, and a single surgical approach cannot be applied to all clinical situations.
Through careful consideration of the potential sites of nerve compression and the
etiologies for these local irritations, the appropriate surgical technique can be
selected and a good outcome anticipated in most patients.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
November 3,
2009
Received:
October 5,
2009
Footnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
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Copyright
© 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc.
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- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Ulnar Nerve SubluxationJournal of Hand SurgeryVol. 35Issue 9
- PreviewKudos to authors Palmar and Hughes for an excellent Current Concepts review article1 regarding cubital tunnel syndrome. Once again, their thorough literature review demonstrated no procedure was clearly superior. In my mind, this is compelling evidence for nothing more than simple decompression, but anterior transposition lives! It would seem that the ulnar nerve continues to be moved anteriorly simply because it is possible and not necessarily because it is proven necessary.
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