Subcutaneous Versus Submuscular Anterior Transposition of the Ulnar Nerve for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Observational Studies

Subcutaneous and submuscular anterior ulnar nerve transposition have been widely used in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome. However, the reliable evidence in favor of 1 of 2 surgical options on clinical improvement remains controversial.To maximize the value of the available literature, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare subcutaneous versus submuscular anterior ulnar nerve transposition in patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were searched for randomized and observational studies that compared subcutaneous transposition with submuscular transposition of ulnar nerve for cubital tunnel syndrome. The primary outcome was clinically relevant improvement in function compared to the baseline. Randomized and observational studies were separately analyzed with relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 7 observational studies, involving 605 patients, were included. Our meta-analysis suggested that no significant differences in the primary outcomes were observed between comparison groups, both in RCT (RR, 1.16; 95% CI 0.68–1.98; P = 0.60; I² = 81%) and observational studies (RR, 1.01; 95% CI 0.95–1.08; P = 0.69; I² = 0%). These findings were also consistent with all subgroup analyses for observational studies. In the secondary outcomes, the incidence of adverse events was significantly lower in subcutaneous group than in submuscular group (RR, 0.54; 95% CI 0.33–0.87; P = 0.01; I² = 0%), whereas subcutaneous transposition failed to reveal more superiority than submuscular transposition in static two-point discrimination (MD, 0.04; 95% CI −0.18–0.25; P = 0.74; I² = 0%).The available evidence is not adequately powered to identify the best anterior ulnar nerve transposition technique for cubital tunnel syndrome on the basis of clinical outcomes, that is, suggests that subcutaneous and submuscular anterior transposition might be equally effective in terms of postoperative clinical improvement. However, differences in clinical outcomes metrics should be noted, and these findings largely rely on the outcomes data from observational studies that are potentially subject to a high risk of selection bias. Therefore, more high-quality and adequately powered RCTs with standardized clinical outcomes metrics are necessary for proper comparison of these techniques.     

Spontaneous displacement of olecranon fracture through geode salvaged by elbow replacement

We present a case of pathological fracture of olecranon through a giant geode. Fracture was initially undisplaced and was treated conservatively. It later progressed to a transolecranon dislocation as a result of a pseudarthrosis at the fracture site. The patient presented 4 years later when she developed symptoms of ulnar nerve palsy. She was treated by a total elbow arthroplasty with ulnar nerve transposition. The current report highlights this unusual case and reviews the relevant literature.     

氟中毒对肘关节尺神经蠕变影响实验研究

目的研究氟中毒对肘关节尺神经蠕变的影响,为临床提供生物力学参数。方法复制氟中毒动物模型,取动物模型肘关节尺神经进行蠕变实验。结果得出了对照组和实验组动物肘关节尺神经蠕变数据和曲线。结论实验组肘关节尺神经7200S蠕变量显著低于对照组。     

氟中毒动物模型尺神经应力松弛特性研究

目的研究氟中毒对肘关节尺神经应力松弛的影响,为临床提供生物力学参数。方法复制氟中毒动物模型,取动物模型肘关节尺神经进行应力松弛实验。结果得出了对照组和实验组动物肘关节尺神经应力松弛数据和曲线。结论实验组肘关节尺神经7200S应力松弛量显著低于对照组,氟中毒对动物尺神经应力松弛特性有一定影响。     

氟中毒对肘关节尺神经力学性质影响研究

目的研究氟中毒对肘关节尺神经力学性质的影响,为临床提供生物力学参数。方法复制氟中毒动物模型,取动物模型肘关节尺神经进行拉伸实验。结果得出了对照组和实验组动物肘关节尺神经拉伸最大载荷,最大应力,最大应变,弹性模量等数据。结论实验组肘关节尺神经各项拉伸力学性能指标显著低于对照组。     

Influence of previous open synovectomy on the outcome of Souter-Strathclyde total elbow prosthesis

OBJECTIVES: Open synovectomy of the elbow joint is often performed in early stages of rheumatoid arthritis. Because of poor long-term results after synovectomy, insertion of a total elbow prosthesis is commonly used as a secondary procedure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of previous synovectomy on the outcome after placement of a total elbow prosthesis. METHODS: We inserted 204 primary Souter-Strathclyde total elbow prostheses for rheumatoid arthritis. Two groups could be distinguished: group A with previous synovectomy 3.9 yr (mean) before the elbow replacement (n = 33) and group B without previous synovectomy (n = 171). The mean follow-up was 5.8 yr for group A and 6.3 yr for group B. All patients were assessed clinically and radiologically before the operation, 1 and 2 years later and then at regular intervals. The effect of previous synovectomy was analysed via a Cox model and a generalized linear mixed model for binomial data with multivariate normal random effects. RESULTS: No statistically significant effect of previous synovectomy on pain, function or complaints of the ulnar nerve could be found post-operatively. The post-operative flexion was significantly higher in group B than in group A. The complication-rates were similar for both groups. The overall survival rate for respectively group A and B with revision as endpoint was 66.9% (s.e. 13.4) versus 79.6 (s.e. 4.3) after 10 yr. CONCLUSIONS: Previous synovectomy does not diminish the outcome after total elbow prosthesis in this series and could therefore be considered in early, painful stages of rheumatoid destruction of the elbow joint.     

Sarcoidosis occurring after interferon-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C: report of two cases

We report two patients who were diagnosed with sarcoidosis after receiving interferon (IFN)-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C, and conduct a review the relevant literature. The first patient was a 52-year-old female who developed multiple subcutaneous nodules 2 months after finishing IFN-alpha therapy. A skin biopsy from subcutaneous nodules on the right elbow joint revealed sarcoid granulomata. These lesions resolved spontaneously 4 months later. The second patient, a 57-year-old male, developed bilateral hilar and mediastinal lymph node enlargement 2 years after finishing IFN-alpha 2a therapy. A transbronchial lung biopsy demonstrated sarcoid granulomata. In addition, he had uveitis and left ulnar nerve involvement. His eye and nerve involvement gradually improved over 20 months. It is feasible that IFN therapy has been a trigger for sarcoidosis in these patients.     

Outcomes in total elbow arthroplasty in patients with haemophilia at the University of California,San Francisco: a retrospective review

Summary. Severe haemophilic arthropathy of the elbow is a significant cause of morbidity among adults with haemophilia. However, previous reports of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) in the haemophilic population have been based on small numbers of patients with relatively short‐term follow‐up. The records of seven total elbow arthroplasties in six adult men with haemophilia at the University of California, San Francisco who underwent TEA over a period of 25 years were retrospectively reviewed. Type of haemophilia, age at time of TEA, HIV infection status, pre‐ and postoperative range‐of‐motion (ROM) scores, complications (including infections), need for subsequent surgical revision and functional outcomes were recorded. Four patients had severe factor VIII deficiency and two patients had severe factor IX deficiency. None of the patients had an inhibitor. The mean age at the time of surgery was 34 years (range, 22–46 years) and the mean follow‐up period was 118 months (range, 37–176 months). One of the six patients had TEA in both elbows. Five of the six patients were infected with HIV. There were no immediate perioperative complications. At a mean of 19.2 months postoperatively, ROM had improved in five of seven TEAs: mean flexion had increased from 110.7° (SD = 15.0) to 120.1° (SD = 14.5), whereas mean preoperative extension increased from ?44.3° (SD = 21.5) to ?36.9° (SD = 27.0). One patient required a revision at 30 months because of ulnar component loosening. This same patient sustained a staph epidermidis infection and ultimate removal of the prosthesis 15 years postoperatively. At a mean of 118 months postoperatively, five of six patients continued to report reduced pain and preserved functionality, with ability to perform normal daily activities. TEA resulted in favourable results in six of seven procedures. Our findings support the viability of TEA for individuals with severe haemophilic arthropathy of the elbow, especially to reduce pain and preserve or restore functionality. Level of evidence .  Level IV.     

氟骨症肘关节尺神经损害及畸形矫治的研究

目的 研究氟中毒对尺神经的损害及肘关节畸形矫治。方法 (1)流行病学调查；(2)手术矫治；(3）建立动物模型。结果 氟骨症患尺神经损害与非病区比较差异有显性(P＜0．01)。病人活体尺神经外膜明显增粗增厚、水肿。大鼠尺神经超微结构有明显病理改变。结论 高氟可直接损害尺神经组织，肘关节畸形矫治能改善运动功能。     

Clinical and radiological results of GSB III total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) with the GSB III prosthesis was performed in 32 patients (36 elbows) with rheumatoid arthritis between 2001 and 2009. At final follow-up, 31 patients (35 TEAs) were available for clinical and radiological evaluation. The mean follow-up period was 6.3 (2.0–10.3) years, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The mean Mayo elbow performance score was significantly improved from 48 points preoperatively to 83 points at final follow-up. The radiographic loosening rate was 14.3% for humeral components and 5.7% for ulnar components. There were 4 cases of intraoperative fracture and 1 case of humeral shaft fracture at 4 months after surgery. The rates for loosening and fracture were relatively low when compared with those in other studies of linked TEA. There were 2 cases of ulnar nerve palsy, but there was no deep infection or triceps disruption. The clinical results of TEA using the GSB III prosthesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis were found to be satisfactory.     

Resection of the radial head and partial open synovectomy of the elbow in the young adult with haemophilia: long-term results

Resection of the radial head and partial open synovectomy of the elbow have been used in the treatment of repeated haemarthroses of the elbows in 15 patients with haemophilia. The indications for the index operation were: severe pain and bleeding in the elbow that occurred in spite of appropriate, episodic, replacement therapy over a period of more than 6 months, associated with hypertrophy of the radial head and a significant loss of pronation-supination. The long-term results were assessed retrospectively according to the classification recommended by the Orthopaedic Advisory Committee of the World Federation of Hemophilia. In the operated group, three patients had a good result, seven were fair, and five poor. It is concluded that this procedure appears to reduce the incidence of haemarthrosis but did not slow the rate of evolution of radiographic changes.     

Shear wave elastography of the ulnar nerve at the forearm

The study included 38 ulnar nerves in 20 healthy subjects. High-resolution ultrasound and Shear wave elastography were used to evaluate the ulnar nerve at the mid forearm. The mean cross-sectional area of the ulnar nerve was 7.1 mm². The mean shear elastic modulus of the nerve in the short axis was 27.4 kPa. The mean shear elastic modulus of the nerve in long axis was 24.7 kPa. No statistical relation could be noted between elasticity measurements in long and short axes. The ulnar nerve elastic modulus also showed no correlation with CSA neither in the long axis nor short axis. Age, height, weight, and body mass index showed no correlation with the ulnar elastic modulus in short or long axes. The elastic modulus of the ulnar nerve has been determined in healthy subjects and can serve as a reference for future assessment of compressive neuropathies of the ulnar nerve.     

Evaluation of the forearm blood flow with C.W. Doppler in patients submitted to myocardial revascularization with the radial artery

Before harvesting the radial artery for coronary bypasses, investigating forearm vascularization to avoid postoperative ischemia of the hand is mandatory. The study involved 192 consecutive patients, 155 males and 37 females age 39–76 years (mean 56.1). The CW Doppler static and dynamic test was performed to evaluate the patency of the upper limb's arteries and the adequacy of the ulnar supply in the nondominant arm. The use of the radial artery was contraindicated in 14 patients (3 for stenosis of the subclavian artery and 11 for inadequate collateralization). One hundred and four patients were operated on with the radial artery used as a graft; another conduit was used in the remaining 74 patients. The vascularization of the hand was restudied within 10 days in all patients who underwent surgery; in 82 patients, it was studied again at 1 year. The early Doppler control showed a significant increase of blood flow velocities in the ulnar artery, with a flow redistribution in the common digital palmar arteries (decreased in the 1st and slightly increased in the 3rd). The late Doppler control showed superimposable findings. No local ischemic complications were observed after radial artery removal. Three patients showed thumb dysesthesias with no functional damage, probably due to surgical trauma of the radial nerve collateral branches. The authors conclude that a Doppler study is a useful tool to detect patients for radial artery surgical removal and to predict the efficacy of the ulnar supply through the distal anastomosis.Presented in part at the 39th Annual World Congress, International College of Angiology, Istanbul, Turkey, June 1997.     

Differential effects of near-normoglycaemia for 4 years on somatic nerve dysfunction and heart rate variation in type 1 diabetic patients.

To evaluate the long-term effects of near-normoglycaemia on somatosensory and autonomic nerve dysfunction, 55 poorly controlled Type 1 diabetic patients were allocated to intensified insulin treatment using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion or multiple insulin injections and were studied prospectively for 48 months. They were divided into three groups according to their mean HbA1 levels during the study. Group 1 (n = 19) had mean HbA1 during months 3-48 in the normal range of less than 7.8% (near-normoglycaemic control), Group 2 (n = 18) showed moderately elevated mean HbA1 between 7.8 and 8.5% (satisfactory control), and Group 3 (n = 18) had clearly elevated mean HbA1 of greater than or equal to 8.6% (poor control). In the three groups studied, the changes in nerve conduction over baseline in the median and peroneal motor nerves as well as median and ulnar sensory nerves after 4 years were inversely related to the mean HbA1 levels of months 3-48 (all p less than 0.05). No significant associations with mean HbA1 were noted for the ulnar motor and sural sensory nerve conduction, vibration perception threshold, and heart rate variation. The percentages of patients with neuropathic symptoms decreased from 32 to 14% in Group 1, remained fairly constant in Group 2, and increased from 41 to 73% in Group 3 after 48 months when compared to baseline (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Volar flexion of the fingers. Its value in diagnosis of leprous paralysis of the intrinsic muscles of the fingers and in the study of the results of palliative interventions

Active metacarpophalangeal flexion with simultaneous active extension of interphalangeal joints places the fingers in the position in preparation for prehension. This volar flexion of the fingers is due to the action of their intrinsic muscles, and this movement, which is irreplaceable, has been used by the author for the last twenty years as a specific exploratory test of intrinsic finger muscles. It can be investigated as an emergency procedure in cases of ulnar nerve wounds at the elbow or injury to the upper forearm before suture, and clearly demonstrates the presence of an ulnar claw hand. It is a very sensitive test since this position potentiates an ulnar claw hand in its early stage which would have passed unnoticed with fingers extended. This rapid examination is particularly valid during neurologic investigation of the hand in lepers in countries where this disease is endemic, and it forms part of the 10 tests that the author has selected for exploration, within 2 or 3 minutes, in a standing patient, of the facial, ulnar, median, superficial peroneal and posterior tibial nerves. The test is also the most effective evaluation criterion of palliative surgery for claw hand which to be considered as successful must restore volar flexion, as shown by a personal series of over 200 operated hands.     

桡神经浅支端侧吻合修复尺神经高位损伤的研究

目的通过动物实验探讨感觉神经移位一期联合修复尺神经高位（肘关节以上）损伤,手内在肌组织学变化及吻合口神经病理学变化。方法选用成年雄性猕猴6只,以上肢为研究单位,6只动物双侧上肢随机分为3组,每组4侧上肢。 A组（实验组）：于上臂上段切断尺神经,再重新端端吻合。于远端切断桡神经浅支,移位于腕部与尺神经（外膜开窗）作端侧吻合。 B组（对照组）：于上臂上段切除尺神经3 cm,两断端分别折叠结扎,腕部处理同A组。 C组（对照组）：上臂部尺神经处理同A组,腕部不作神经移位。观察术后猴尺神经所支配的手内在肌萎缩程度。取术后1个月、3个月、6个月、12个月猴尺神经支配的手内在肌端侧吻合口、端侧吻合口以远的神经干及小鱼际肌组织,做成切片,光镜下观察其显微结构的变化。结果术后12个月观察到A组雄猴手内在肌恢复自主活动,术侧手内在肌肌肉萎缩不明显;B组术侧手内在肌肌肉萎缩,程度较C组轻;C组术侧手内在肌肌肉明显萎缩。组织学观察结果显示,术后A组神经纤维数量、密度随时间延长而逐渐增加。 B组术后神经纤维数量、密度达到一定数值后无明显变化,但未见肌肉出现变性坏死现象。 C组神经纤维数量明显减少,肌纤维数量亦明显减少,最终大部分肌纤维萎缩伴玻璃样变,间质出血,肉芽组织形成。结论感觉神经移位能有效防止手内在肌萎缩、变性、纤维化,为高位损伤修复后的尺神经的再生、长入创造了良好条件。     

Bilateral ulnar nerve entrapment by the M. anconeus epitrochlearis. A case report and literature review

Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow is the second most common entrapment neuropathy. Ulnar nerve entrapment has several causes. A case report is presented with the presence of the M. anconeus epitrochlearis at both sides. The patient contacted our department with chronic, diffuse bilateral elbow pain irradiating into both forearms. She experienced typical nocturnal paresthesias involving digit IV and V of both hands. Tinel's sign was present just proximal to the medial epicondyle. A bilateral ulnar nerve entrapment was clinically suspected. An electromyographic (EMG) investigation revealed slowing of the motor conduction velocity in the ulnar nerve across the elbow. An ultrasound and MRI investigation demonstrated the presence of an anomalous muscle, called the M. anconeus epitrochlearis, at both sides. Treatment consisted of bilateral surgical excision of the muscle and retinacular release, followed by physical therapy. The outcome was favourable.     

Nerve entrapment at the elbow in rheumatoid arthritis.

Although there was some delay in the posterior interosseous branch of the radial nerve conduction time in six of the 152 rheumatoid elbows, in no case were there clinical signs attributable to entrapment of this nerve. Some delay in ulnar nerve conduction was recorded in 27 of the 152 elbows; this was marked in 12. These patients tended to be older and to have more severe disease of the elbow.     

Haemophilic arthropathy of the elbow

Patients affected by haemophilia commonly have recurrent intra-articular bleeding which leads to progressive destruction and instability of joints. Severe arthropathy of the elbow is complicated by pain, stiffness and loss of function which can be debilitating. Conservative measures such as analgesics, physiotherapy and orthotics are commonly used in the management of these patients. Surgery is considered when conservative measures fail to control the symptoms. Total elbow replacement is now increasingly performed with the advances made in factor replacement therapy and evolution of better implants and techniques of total elbow arthroplasty. The pathogenesis, clinical features and radiological changes of haemophilic arthropathy of the elbow are described in this review article.     

Operative treatment of anterior heterotopic bone formation of the elbow in a patient with severe haemophilia A

There is no statistical data on the incidence of heterotopic ossification among patients with haemophilia, and a few reports documenting this entity in haemophilia are available. Although post-traumatic heterotopic ossification about the elbow is a well-recognized complication, we are not aware of any previously reported case in haemophiliacs. An 8-year-old boy with severe haemophilia A presented with fixed elbow in 80 degrees of flexion. Radiographs disclosed a mature anterior heterotopic ossification in the form of complete ulnohumeral bony bridge. Surgical excision of the heterotopic bone was performed. A full elbow range of motion was obtained after long-term physiotherapy. We conclude that this surgery is safe and successful in haemophilic patients, if performed at the right time under optimal situation.