[Ulnar nerve tunnel syndrome of the elbow and an occupational disorder. Analysis of socio-professional and physical parameters].
OBJECTIVE
The ulnar nerve tunnel syndrome at the elbow is the second frequently tunnel syndrome, registered as an occupational disorder. The musculoskeletal troubles of the upper limb are now a public health challenge. These disorders allow manifold risk factors related to the work state, extrinsic to the patient, and related to individual factors, or intrinsic.


METHODS
In the same venture, 25 patients with a UNTS, declared as an occupational disorder, have been compared to 48 individuals (T). Intrinsic (physical and psychological) and extrinsic parameters have been evaluated by a questionnaire, physical examination completed by an investigation in the venture. The Nottingham Health Profile was performed by all the individuals.


RESULTS
All the cases of UNTS were observed after an increase of the production and a change in the work organization. Only 50% of the declared UNTS have a typical topography of the pain. No UNTS patient had neurological objective motor and sensitive deficit. 52% of the UNTS patients had diffused physical disorders comparatively to 17% of the T population. Stress events were observed more frequently in the UNTS population than in the T population: in the living area, in respectively 96% and 52% of the cases, at the work place in 12% and 2%. 50% of the UNTS population was distress comparatively to 17% of the T population. The NHP score was significantly higher in the UNTS population than the T population.


CONCLUSIONS
These data confirm the mutual influences of individual factors, physical and psychological, and of workplace factors in the occurrence of painful disorders related to an occupational activity. The therapeutic approach of these patients must be done with a physical, psychological and social evaluation.
Pellieux
S
S
Service de médecine physique et réadaptation, CHU Trousseau, 37044 cedex 1, Tours, France.
Fouquet
B
B
Lasfargues
G
G
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020430:Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010808:Physical Examination; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis