Posttraumatic immobilization in flexion of a congenital valgus elbow and cubital tunnel syndrome-case report.
BACKGROUND
Elbow trauma, cubitus valgus deformity, and prolonged flexion of the elbow are recognized risk factors for ulnar nerve entrapment.


METHODS
The 3 conditions coincided in the present case. In fact, a 36-year-old woman had a bilateral severe congenital cubitus valgus. A trauma of the right elbow caused luxation and supracondylar humeral fracture for which the joint was fixed in flexion at 90 degrees for 1 month. The patient developed a severe ulnar nerve entrapment syndrome that did not respond to several months of physiotherapy and active mobilization of the elbow. The symptoms recovered after surgical decompression and anterior subcutaneous transposition of the nerve.


CONCLUSIONS
The present case illustrates how the development of a cubital tunnel syndrome should be considered as the expected outcome of a long immobilization in flexion of an elbow with a severe cubitus valgus. A simple subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve might be recommended before a long immobilization of a cubitus valgus elbow is performed.
Di Rocco
Federico
F
Department of Neurosurgery, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome 00168, Italy.
Doglietto
Francesco
F
Tufo
Tommaso
T
Ciampini
Alessandro
A
Lauretti
Liverana
L
Fernandez
Eduardo
E
D000328:Adult; D020430:Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*