Treatment of compression neuropathy of the ulnar nerve at the elbow by epicondylectomy and neurolysis

A Review of Compressive Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow

“…The medial intermuscular septum is excised for a few centimeters proximally. 99 The epicondyle is then removed by aligning a 2.5-cm osteotome along the medial margin of the trochlea, which provides a useful natural guide. After removal of the epicondyle, the margins are smoothed with a rongeur and the raw cancellous surface is covered with bone wax.…”

“…Medial epicondylectomy has numerous other advantages associated with it such as complete release or removal of constricting structures (including the arcade of Struthers, roof of the cubital tunnel, fascia overlying the heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris, and the medial epicondyle), more thorough decompression than simple in situ release, support of early postoperative elbow mobilization, which leads to a faster recovery, and preservation of small proximal nerve branches that might be sacrificed in anterior transposition procedures. 99 Numerous potential problems that have been reported in using medial epicondylectomy in treating compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow include tenderness at the osteotomy site, weakness in pronation and flexion seen in the postoperative period, and medial instability of the elbow caused by operative injury to the medial collateral ligament and medial epicondylitis. 8,101 This procedure should not be considered for athletes who engage in throwing motions, Postoperative rehabilitation.…”

Are standardized patient self-reporting instruments applicable to the evaluation of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow?

“…[1][2][3][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]17,19,22,23,25,26,29 However, outcomes research thus far has been limited because no self-reported outcome instrument has been validated for use in the evaluation of UNE.…”

Surgical treatment of common entrapment neuropathies in the upper limbs

“…29,48,65,81,87,121 This is not currently in favor, however. Heithoff et al 65 were positive about their experience in 43 cases but reported good or excellent results in only 72%.…”