title: Medial epicondylectomy or ulnar-nerve transposition for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow?
abstract: We carried out a prospective randomised study comparing medial epicondylectomy with anterior transposition for the treatment of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. The mean follow-up period was 4.5 years and we assessed the patients neurologically and orthopaedically. Neither procedure appeared to have a significant effect on elbow function. Our study showed better results after medial epicondylectomy; in particular patient satisfaction was higher than after ulnar nerve transposition. There were no significant differences in motor power or nerve-conduction rates and sensory fibres appeared to be more vulnerable to devascularisation.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Geutjens
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Langstaff
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jefferson
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Barton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D016067:Nerve Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D017769:Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000601:surgery*