Document Detail


The external compression syndrome of the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  598076     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Diagnosis of the cubital tunnel external compression syndrome, and subsequent avoidance of further external pressure, minimizes the possibility of progressive crippling of the hand. The usual clinical features are local tenderness over the cubital tunnel, often accompanied by distal paresthesias, and neurological deficit in the ulnar nerve distribution with sparing of the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles; the elbow flexion test, described by the author, awaits evaluation in the diagnosis of the syndrome. Clinicians and others concerned with positioning patients on the operating room table or caring for patients in the ward should be aware of the syndrome. Avoidance of a position of the elbow which predisposes to external compression of the cubital tunnel is mandatory and active elbow movement should be encouraged in bedridden and chair-bound patients. Surgical treatment is sometimes indicated, at least to halt progression of the palsy. A classification of the cubital tunnel syndrome is proposed: physiological, acute and subacute due to external pressure (both forming the cubital tunnel external compression syndrome) and chronic (space-occupying lesions and loss of volume due to lateral shift of the ulnar as a consequence of childhood injury to the capitular epiphysis). Nerve conduction studies may be helpful in the diagnosis of the doubtful cubital tunnel syndrome, particularly when there is definite impairment of power or sensation in the hand.
Authors:
T G Wadsworth
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Clinical orthopaedics and related research     Volume:  -     ISSN:  0009-921X     ISO Abbreviation:  Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res.     Publication Date:  1977 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1978-03-29     Completed Date:  1978-03-29     Revised Date:  2005-03-03    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0075674     Medline TA:  Clin Orthop Relat Res     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  189-204     Citation Subset:  IM    
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Acute Disease
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Chronic Disease
Elbow*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Nerve Compression Syndromes / diagnosis*
Neural Conduction
Posture
Syndrome
Ulnar Nerve*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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