Ulnar nerve lesions: functional outcome after five years.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse perceived impairments, disability, job restrictions and job changes in subjects with a neurapraxia and neurotmesis of the ulnar nerve five years after trauma.


METHODS
Retrospective, descriptive follow-up study.


METHODS
Department of Rehabilitation of a University Hospital.


METHODS
Sixteen subjects with a neurotmesis (NT-group) and 20 subjects with a neurapraxia (NP-group) were compared by means of a structured interview assessing perceived impairments and change in job and a questionnaire assessing disabilities (Groningen Activity Restriction Scale: GARS).


RESULTS
The NP-group perceived significantly more pain, loss of strength and sensation, loss of dexterity and perceived more job-related restrictions than the NT-group. The NP-group had significantly higher scores on the GARS. There was a moderate correlation between the visual analogue score of the pain and the GARS in the NP- and NT-groups. No significant difference was found between the groups with respect to job changes.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that subjects with a neurapraxia of the ulnar nerve perceive more impairments and disabilities compared with those subjects with a neurotmesis.
van Nispen
F C
FC
Department of Rehabilitation, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
Dijkstra
P U
PU
Geertzen
J H
JH
Groothoff
J W
JW
Eisma
W H
WH
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000293:injuries*; D020424:Ulnar Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*