title: Ulnar nerve strains at the elbow.
abstract: Twenty unembalmed intact cadavers had strain measurements taken of the ulnar nerve at 5 positions around the elbow and at varying degrees of elbow flexion. A microstrain gauge was implanted directly into the nerve through a superficial incision. Maximum strains in the ulnar nerve occurred at maximum elbow flexion and directly behind the medial epicondyle; meaningfully less strain was seen at lesser degrees of flexion and positions distal and proximal to the epicondyle. A wide range of maximal strains (0% to 14%) was found. Twenty-five percent of the ulnar nerves showed strains of greater than 10% with maximum elbow flexion behind the medial epicondyle. Cubital tunnel syndrome may be at least in part a traction neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160, USA.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Toby
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hanesworth
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D017769:Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology