title: Ulna Nerve Decompression at the Elbow in Patients with Normal Nerve Conduction Tests.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ulna nerve compression at the elbow is the second most common neuropathy of the upper limb. It has been suggested that nerve conduction tests are required to correctly make the diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess whether patients with normal nerve conduction testing benefitted from surgical release of the ulna nerve.
  
  
  METHODS
  56 patients with symptoms of ulna nerve compression at the elbow were evaluated prospectively. All patients underwent electrophysiology testing followed by ulna nerve decompression irrespective of the results of the electrophysiology testing. Functional scores using the QuickDASH and PEM score were collected up to 12 months post-surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No difference was found between the group with normal and the group with abnormal electrophysiology studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that patients who clinically have ulna nerve compression still benefit from ulna nerve decompression despite normal nerve conduction tests.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Gareth L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Angus D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Maclean
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Logan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000294:innervation* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017769:Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cubital tunnel syndrome; Nerve conduction testing; Ulna nerve compression