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J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong) 2022 May-Aug;30(2):10225536221109914

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center, 587171Eulji University School of Medicine, Uijeongbu, Korea.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to suggest treatment guidline for primary elbow OA with ulnar nerve neuropathy or high-grade stiffness by evaluating the effect of ulnar nerve decompression on the outcome of osteocapsular arthroplasty.

Methods: A total of 30 patients who underwent primary osteocapsular arthroplasty for elbow OA were retrospectively reviewed. The surgical outcomes were evaluated for pain score (visual analog scale; VAS), range of motion (ROM), and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). Read More

J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2022 Apr 28. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Department of Neurosurgery, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, the Netherlands.

Background: Submuscular transposition (SMT) of the ulnar nerve is frequently performed as secondary procedure in patients with persistent or recurrent cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) despite previous surgery. Good results have been reported for this surgical strategy, but mainly in small retrospective case series. The goal of the present study is therefore to analyze the results prospectively using a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM): patient-rated ulnar nerve evaluation (PRUNE). Read More

J Bodyw Mov Ther 2022 Jul 18;31:102-112. Epub 2022 Mar 18.

Department of Health Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, 1516, Cyprus. Electronic address:

Background: Little attention has been given to support the use of slider and tensioner neural mobilization (NM) techniques for upper quadrant pain (UQP). The purpose of this study was to systematically review the effectiveness of these techniques in patients with UQP.

Method: The PubMed, Cochrane Library and EBSCOhost were searched without chronological restriction to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed pain changes following NM in the upper quadrant. Read More

Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir 2022 Jun 10;54(3):253-262. Epub 2022 Jun 10.

University of Western Ontario Roth|McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Center.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is one of the most common upper extremity nerve entrapment conditions. Clinical examination and electrodiagnostic studies assist in the diagnosis. Mild cases can be successfully treated conservatively, aiming to reduce traction and compression on the nerve. Read More

Bull Hosp Jt Dis (2013) 2022 Jun;80(2):209-212

Background: Cubital tunnel syndrome and the resulting loss of hand dexterity and strength may necessitate surgical management. Studies have demonstrated no difference in outcome between surgical techniques. In an attempt to leave more ulnar nerves in situ while providing for stability within the cubital tunnel, we suggest a surgical treatment approach. Read More

Bull Hosp Jt Dis (2013) 2022 Jun;80(2):200-208

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve compression at the elbow (e.g., cubital tunnel syndrome) are the most common upper extremity compressive neuropa- thies treated by hand surgeons. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2022 May 19. Epub 2022 May 19.

From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso, Foster School of Medicine.

Background: The scratch collapse test is a provocative test that has been successfully used for peripheral neuropathies. The elbow is the main testing site, but there may be times when use of the upper extremities is contraindicated. This study sought to determine the sensitivity of using the scratch collapse test on the lower extremity for upper extremity neuropathies. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2022 May 10. Epub 2022 May 10.

From the Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta; Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine; Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University; and Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

Background: Current classifications for cubital tunnel syndrome have not been shown to reliably predict postoperative outcomes. In this article, the authors introduce a new classification that incorporates clinical and electrodiagnostic parameters, including compound muscle action potential amplitude, to classify the preoperative severity of cubital tunnel syndrome. The authors compare this to established classifications and evaluate its association with patient-rated improvement. Read More

Trop Med Infect Dis 2022 Apr 16;7(4). Epub 2022 Apr 16.

Unit of Hand Surgery and Microsurgery, Department of Musculoskeletal System, University Hospital of Modena, 41125 Modena, Italy.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the most dramatic pandemic of the new millennium. To counter it, specific vaccines have been launched in record time under emergency use authorization or conditional marketing authorization and have been subjected to additional monitoring. The European Medicines Agency recommend reporting any suspected adverse reactions during this additional monitoring phase. Read More

J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol 2022 Apr 19;27(2):394-397. Epub 2022 Apr 19.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wonkwang University Hospital, Iksan, South Korea.

Lymphoma is a malignant tumour of the lymphatic system. Neurolymphomatosis occurs when lymphoma cells invade the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Neurolymphomatosis has been reported involving the sciatic nerve, nerve roots and within the axilla and the upper arm. Read More

Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 2022 Mar;56(2):125-130

Private Practice, İzmir, Turkey.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the results of endoscopic in situ decompression (EISD) versus open in situ decompression (OISD) in the management of cubital tunnel syndrome (CUTS).

Methods: In this retrospective study, 32 patients who underwent either OISD or EISD for the treatment of CUTS between 2012 and 2019 were identified and divided into one of the two groups: Group I consisted of 13 patients undergoing EISD and group II consisted of 19 patients receiving OISD. Patients were queried regarding the presence of preoperative and postoperative paresthesia. Read More

Clin Neurophysiol 2022 06 30;138:153-162. Epub 2022 Mar 30.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan. Electronic address:

Objective: To visualize the neural activity of the ulnar nerve at the elbow using magnetoneurography (MNG).

Methods: Subjects were asymptomatic volunteers (eight men and one woman; age, 26-53 years) and a male patient with cubital tunnel syndrome (age, 54 years). The ulnar nerve was electrically stimulated at the left wrist and evoked magnetic fields were recorded by a 132-channel biomagnetometer system with a superconducting quantum interference device at the elbow. Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2022 Mar 4;12(3). Epub 2022 Mar 4.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan.

Although electromyography is the routine diagnostic method for cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS), imaging diagnosis by measuring cross-sectional area (CSA) with ultrasonography (US) has also been attempted in recent years. In this study, deep learning (DL), an artificial intelligence (AI) method, was used on US images, and its diagnostic performance for detecting CuTS was investigated. Elbow images of 30 healthy volunteers and 30 patients diagnosed with CuTS were used. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2022 05 22;149(5):1042e-1043e. Epub 2022 Mar 22.

Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.

Plast Reconstr Surg 2022 05 22;149(5):1041e-1042e. Epub 2022 Mar 22.

Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis Tenn.

Asian J Surg 2022 Mar 16. Epub 2022 Mar 16.

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University and College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background: Ulnar tunnel syndrome (UTS) is relatively uncommon compared to the carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel syndromes. Few reports dedicated to the functional outcomes after surgical intervention of the UTS exist. Herein we compare the outcomes of patients with UTS of different etiologies. Read More

Hand Surg Rehabil 2022 Jun 11;41(3):370-376. Epub 2022 Mar 11.

Department of Orthopedics, Yancheng No. 1 People's Hospital, Yancheng 224001, Jiangsu Province, China. Electronic address:

We aimed to explore the clinical efficacy of decompression and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve in osteoarthritis-induced cubital tunnel syndrome (CTS). 109 patients with moderate-to-severe CTS treated from July 2015 to March 2019 were selected. Upper-limb function was scored. Read More

J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2022 Jul 8;47(7):777-778. Epub 2022 Mar 8.

Clin Orthop Surg 2022 Mar 3;14(1):1-12. Epub 2022 Feb 3.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.

Grip strength has been used to evaluate the upper extremity functional status and clinical outcomes following upper extremity trauma or surgery. Understanding general recovery patterns of grip strengthening can be helpful in assessing the patients' recovery status and in assisting in preoperative consultations regarding expectations for recovery. We summarize related studies on grip strength measurement and recovery patterns in common hand conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, triangular fibrocartilage complex injury, and distal radius fractures. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2022 Feb 24. Epub 2022 Feb 24.

Division of Hand Surgery, Rothman Orthopaedics, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address:

Purpose: Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common upper-extremity compressive neuropathy, and persistent symptoms can necessitate operative treatment. Surgical options include simple decompression and ulnar nerve transposition. The cause of wound dehiscence after surgery is not well known, and the factors leading to the development of these complications have not been previously described. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2022 Feb 17;10(2):e4114. Epub 2022 Feb 17.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, Calif.

As a referral center for chronic pain, we see many patients with "idiopathic" shoulder pain and limited range of motion. The combination of mild or subclinical carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome may be an underrecognized etiology of symptoms in such patients. Here, we report our treatment algorithm and results for such patients. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2022 Feb 17. Epub 2022 Feb 17.

Department of Plastic Surgery, Isala Hospital, Zwolle, The Netherlands.

Purpose: This study investigated specific risk factors for recurrent surgery of ulnar nerve entrapment (ie, ipsilateral clinical symptoms within 5 years after initial cubital tunnel release [CuTR]) in a large cohort. We hypothesized that recurrence is associated with lifestyle variables (eg, smoking, drinking alcohol, a high body mass index [BMI]) or comorbidities).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using the Current Procedural Terminology codes for all patients who underwent CuTR between January 2012 and November 2018. Read More

J Korean Neurosurg Soc 2022 Mar 17;65(2):307-314. Epub 2022 Feb 17.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Incheon St. Mary`s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

Objective: The percutaneous thread transection technique is a surgical dissecting method using a dissecting thread inserted through a needle under ultrasound guidance without skin incision. As the new dissecting threads were developed domestically, this cadaver study was conducted to compare the effectiveness and safety between the new threads (ultra V sswire and smartwire-01) and a pre-existing commercial dissecting thread (loop & shear) by demonstrating a modified looped thread cubital tunnel release.

Methods: The percutaneous cubital tunnel release procedure was performed on 29 fresh cadaveric upper extremities. Read More

J Med Imaging Radiat Sci 2022 06 8;53(2):305-313. Epub 2022 Feb 8.

Background And Purpose: High-resolution ultrasound is a useful tool in the imaging of upper extremity nerves and depiction of morphology/structural abnormalities, with the benefits of cost-effectiveness, ease of access and capability of dynamic assessment. The focus of this review article will be sonographic assessment of pathologies of commonly imaged upper extremity nerves: radial, median and ulnar nerves.

Methods: A review of the recent literature on sonography of upper extremity nerves was performed, using databases within PubMed, Google Scholar and OVID as well as a textbook resource. Read More

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2022 Jul 2;142(7):1697-1703. Epub 2022 Feb 2.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic road 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the modified McGowan grading system and to determine its ability to distinguish the severity of cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) between the different grades.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively enrolled 39 consecutive patients with CuTS from March 2018 to December 2020. Inter- and intra-observer reliability was assessed by two orthopaedic surgeons with a minimum 2-week interval using Cohen kappa coefficients. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2022 Jan 26;28:e933775. Epub 2022 Jan 26.

Department of Hand Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of ulnar groove plasty guided by a three-dimensional (3D) printing technique for treatment of moderate to severe cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) caused by elbow osteoarthritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients with moderate to severe CuTS secondary to osteoarthritis of the elbow were enrolled in our hospital from April 2015 to March 2018. Based on a previously proposed "elbow canal index", a 1: 1 model of the elbow joint was printed using CT image data collected preoperatively. Read More

Skeletal Radiol 2022 Jul 14;51(7):1473-1481. Epub 2022 Jan 14.

Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Veterans Medical Research Institute, 53, Jinhwangdo-ro 61-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, 05368, Republic of Korea.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of the longitudinal extent (LE) of high ulnar nerve signal intensity (SI) for the diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 68 patients who underwent elbow MRI. Twenty-seven and 41 patients were enrolled in the UNE and control groups, respectively. Read More

Surg Radiol Anat 2022 Feb 13;44(2):201-205. Epub 2022 Jan 13.

Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Ulnar/cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common compressive neuropathy of the upper limb. Permanent location of the ulnar nerve anterior to the medial epicondyle is extremely rare, with only five cases reported in the literature. Using ultrasound elastography and diffusion tensor imaging with fiber tractography, we diagnosed a case in which ulnar nerve entrapment was associated with anterior nerve location. Read More

Ann Plast Surg 2022 Feb;88(2):208-211

From the Institute for Reconstructive Surgery.

Background: Work relative value units (wRVUs) are part of Resource Based Relative Value Scale system. It is expected that a more difficult and time-consuming procedure would yield higher wRVUs. Brachial plexus nerve decompression surgery is a more time-consuming procedure compared with carpal and cubital tunnel procedures. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2022 03 6;47(3):247-256.e1. Epub 2022 Jan 6.

Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Erasmus MC - University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Purpose: To evaluate the patient-reported outcome measures of patients with primary cubital tunnel syndrome and to assess whether they are affected by preoperative symptom severity.

Methods: Patients who underwent simple decompression for primary cubital tunnel syndrome were selected from a prospectively maintained database. Outcome measurements consisted of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire at intake and at 3 and 6 months after surgery. Read More