Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the wordpress-seo domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /var/www/html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6260 Decompression can Effectively Treat Cubital Tunnel Syndrome - Orthopedic Design & Technology

What are you searching for?

Sign in

Decompression can Effectively Treat Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Ulnar nerve decompression, anterior subcutaneous transpositions are equally adequate, study finds.

Author Image

By: Michael Barbella

Managing Editor

Ulnar nerve decompression, anterior subcutaneous transpositions and anterior submuscular transpositions are equally effective in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome, according to results of a recent study.

“Choosing a surgical treatment has been as much a matter of personal choice as it has been based on scientific knowledge. As seen in previously published data, most comparative studies demonstrate equivalent results in outcomes with any particular technique. Taking this into account, we should chose the simplest technique to treat these patients,” André Sá Rodrigues, M.D., said.

In the retrospective study, the researchers collected data of patients diagnosed with idiopathic cubital tunnel syndrome who had surgery between January 2005 and December 2010. Overall, 34 patients underwent surgical treatment, with eight patients having ulnar nerve decompression, 18 patients having anterior subcutaneous transpositions and eight patients having anterior submuscular transpositions. Average age was 48 years and 56 percent of the patients were female. In 53 percent of cases, the affected side was the left, the right side for 41 percent of patients and 6 percent of the patients had bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome. The dominant limb was affected for 45 percent of patients. Minimum follow-up was one year.

Postoperative results were excellent in 66.7 percent of patients, good for 16.7 percent of patients, fair in 10 percent of patients and poor for 6.7 percent of patients. Researchers concluded no significant differences between the three groups. The results were excellent or good in 62.5 percent of patients treated with anterior submuscular transposition, in 85.7 percent of patients treated with anterior subcutaneous transposition, and in all the patients treated with ulnar nerve decompression. However, they found decompression of the ulnar nerve was less harmful and better preserved blood flow. In most cases, the simpler surgical decompression of the cubital tunnel is adequate, he said.

Rodrigues said obesity negatively influenced the postoperative results of cubital tunnel syndrome. Disease severity, age, gender, lesion side and dominant side did not change the effectiveness of the surgical treatment.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Get the latest Orthopedic Design & Technology news, insights and analysis in your Google Search and AI experiences.

Add Orthopedic Design & Technology as a preferred source on Google (opens in a new tab)

Keep Up With Our Content. Subscribe To Orthopedic Design & Technology Newsletters