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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects that operative mobilization
and transposition of the ulnar nerve have on both neural excursion and mechanical
properties. Twelve dogs underwent ulnar nerve transposition and postoperative casting.
Four animals were killed at 3 weeks and four animals were killed at 6 weeks. Four
animals had their casts removed at 3 weeks, were allowed to ambulate, and were killed
at 6 weeks. Operated and contralateral control nerves were compared. Neural excursion
was measured near the elbow and 12 cm proximally. The nerves were harvested and their
mechanical properties determined. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed
significant differences in longitudinal excursion between control and experimental
groups at both sites. Ultimate strain, ultimate strength, and modulus were signficantly
reduced in the experimental groups. No differences were seen in cross-sectional area
or stiffness between control and experimental groups. Analysis revealed no independent
effect of the rehabilitation method. Results of this study indicate that significant
changes in neural excursion, ultimate strain, ultimate strength, and modulus occur
following ulnar nerve mobilization and transposition and that these changes persist
throughout the early postoperative period.
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
September 16,
1996
Received:
April 13,
1995
Footnotes
*This study was performed at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Beth Israel Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and was supported by National Institutes of Health Grant #AR33097
**No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commerical party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 1997 The American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved. Published by Elsevier Inc.
