We present a retrospective study of 41 patients treated by simple decompression for ulnar neuropathy. Pre- and postoperatively, patients were evaluated clinically and electrophysiologically. The median follow-up was 2 years (minimum: 0.5 years, maximum: 5.1 years). The leading pre-operative sign was motor loss in the ulnar distribution (36 patients = 89%) with consecutive atrophy of ulnar innervated muscles (30 patients = 75%). The secondary complaint was sensory impairment in 59% of all cases, less frequently patients presented with pain or paraesthesia. In the majority of cases the aetiology remained unknown (27 patients = 65%). When aetiology was known, previous trauma to the elbow was reported most frequently (9 patients = 22%). Motor nerve conduction velocity (mNCV), compared to the contralateral, non-involved arm, was lower at least for 10 m/s. In cases with atrophy of the ulnar innervated muscles the difference was greater than 15 m/s. In 89%, postoperative results were good or even very good. In 8% (3 patients) no improvement was observed. Worsening due to surgery did not occur. We could demonstrate a significant increase in postoperative mNCV of 7.95 m/s in all patients (p < 0.05). There is still disagreement as to the correct surgical treatment of this disorder. We favour simple decompression (SD) as the appropriate operative technique for cubital tunnel syndrome.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.