Theoretical Discussion on Treatment of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Based on Theory of Liver,Spleen and Kidney

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a disease in which ulnar nerve is compressed by its surrounding tissues,and its main clinical manifestations are pain,sensory disturbance and dyskinesia.Its incidence rate is the second highest among peripheral nerve entrapment diseases,and it is one of the common clinical diseases.The theory of liver,spleen and kidney can guide the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome with traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.By discussing the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)pathogenesis and treatment principles of cubital tunnel syndrome,it provides modern medical theoretical support for TCM treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.

Preliminary Study on the Lesion Location and Prognosis of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome by Motor Nerve Conduction Studies

Background：To study lesions＇ location and prognosis of cubital tunnel syndrome （CubTS） by routine motor nerve conduction studies （MNCSs） and short-segment nerve conduction studies （SSNCSs,inching test）.Methods：Thirty healthy subjects were included and 60 ulnar nerves were studied by inching studies for normal values.Sixty-six patients who diagnosed CubTS clinically were performed bilaterally by routine MNCSs and SSNCSs.Follow-up for 1-year,the information of brief complaints,clinical symptoms,and physical examination were collected.Results：Sixty-six patients were included,88 of nerves was abnormal by MNCS,while 105 was abnormal by the inching studies.Medial epicondyle to 2 cm above medial epicondyle is the most common segment to be detected abnormally （59.09％）,P ＜ 0.01.Twenty-two patients were followed-up,17 patients＇ symptoms were improved.Most of the patients were treated with drugs and modification of bad habits.Conclusions：（1） SSNCSs can detect lesions of compressive neuropathy in CubTS more precisely than the routine motor conduction studies.（2） SSNCSs can diagnose CubTS more sensitively than routine motor conduction studies.（3） In this study,we found that medial epicondyle to 2 cm above the medial epicondyle is the most vulnerable place that the ulnar nerve compressed.（4） The patients had a better prognosis who were abnormal in motor nerve conduction time only,but not amplitude in compressed lesions than those who were abnormal both in velocity and amplitude.Our study suggests that SSNCSs is a practical method in detecting ulnar nerve compressed neuropathy,and sensitive in diagnosing CubTS.The compound muscle action potentials by SSNCSs may predict prognosis of CubTS.

Pathogenesis and electrodiagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome

Background Cubital tunnel syndrome is a well-recognized clinical condition and is the second most common peripheral compression neuropathy. This study was designed to investigate the causes of cubital tunnel syndrome by surgical means and to assess the clinical value of the neurophysiological diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome. Methods Twenty-one patients (involving a total of 22 limbs from 16 men and 5 women, aged 22 to 63, with a mean age of 49 years) with clinical symptoms and signs indicating a problem with their ulnar nerve underwent motor conduction velocity examinations at different sites along the ulnar nerve and examinations of sensory conduction velocity in the hand, before undergoing anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve.Results Electromyographic abnormalities were seen in 21 of 22 limbs [motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) range (15.9-47.5) m/s, mean 32.7 m/s] who underwent motor conduction velocity examinations across the elbow segment of the ulnar nerve. Reduced velocity was observed in 13 of 22 limbs [MCV (15.7-59.6) m/s, mean 40.4 m/s] undergoing MCV tests in the forearms. An absent or abnormal sensory nerve action potential following stimulation was detected in the little finger of 14 of 22 limbs. The factors responsible for ulnar compression based on observations made during surgery were as follows: 15 cases involved compression by arcuate ligaments, muscle tendons, or bone hyperplasia; 2 involved fibrous adhesion; 3 involved compression by the venous plexus or a concurrent thick vein; 2 involved compression by cysts. Conclusions Factors inducing cubital tunnel syndrome include both common factors that have been reported and rare factors, involving the venous plexus, thick veins, and cysts. Tests of motor conduction velocity at different sites along the ulnar nerve should be helpful in diagnosis cubital tunnel syndrome, especially MCV tests indicating decreased velocity across the elbow segment of the ulnar nerve.

Effect of Elbow Position on Short-segment Nerve Conduction Study in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Background： The appropriate elbow position of short-segment nerve conduction study （SSNCS） to diagnose cubital tunnel syndrome （CubTS） is still controversial. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of different elbow positions at full extension and 70° flexion on SSNCS in CubTS. Methods： In this cross-sectional study, the clinical data of seventy elbows from 59 CubTS patients between September, 2011 and December, 2014 in the Peking University First Hospital were included as CubTS group. Moreover, thirty healthy volunteers were included as the healthy group. SSNCS were conducted in all subjects at elbow fhll extension and 70° elbow flexion. Paired nonparametric test, bivariate correlation, Bland-Altman, and Chi-squared test analysis were used to compare the effectiveness of elbow full extension and 70° flexion elbow positions on SSNCS in CubTS patients. Results： Data of upper limit was calculated from healthy group, and abnormal latency was judged accordingly. CubTS group＇s latency and compound muscle action potential （CMAP） of each segment at 70° elbow flexion by SSNCS was compared with lull extension position, no statistically significant difference were found （all P 〉 0.05）. Latency and CMAP of each segment at elbow full extension and 70° flexion were correlated （all P 〈 0 elbow （P - 0.43）, and the latency （P = 0.15） and the CMAP （P = 01）, except the latency of segment of 4 cm to 6 cm above 0.06） of segment of 2 cm to 4 cm below elbow. Bivariate correlation and Bland-Altman analysis proved the correlation between elbow full extension and 70° flexion. Especially in segments across the elbow （2 cm above the elbow and 2 cm below it）, latency at elbow full extension and 70° flexion were strong direct associated（r=0.83, P〈0.01;r=0.55, P〈0.01）,andsodidtheCMAP（r 0.49, P〈0.01;r=0.72, P〈0.01）.Therewasno statistically significant difference in abnormality of each segment at full extension as measured by SSNCS compared with that at 70° flexion （P 〉 0.05, respectively）. Conclusions： There was no statistically significant difference in the diagnosis of CubTS with the elbow at full extension compared with that at 70° flexion during SSNCS. We suggest that elbow positon at full extension can also be used during SSNCS.

Recalcitrant cubital tunnel syndrome

Ulnar nerve neuropathy at the elbow represents the second most frequent compression neuropathy of the upper extremity.Of the five different anatomical areas responsible for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow region,the epitrochlear-olecranon channel and Osborne’s arcade are the most common.An additional cause of nerve damage is a dynamic process in which the ulnar nerve dislocates anteriorly at the epitrochlear-olecranon level during elbow flexion,partially or completely,causing nerve friction and constriction leading to chronic neuropathic pain.Failure after primary surgery is generally secondary to procedural errors or technical omissions,frequently represented by incomplete nerve decompression,failure to recognize nerve instability after nerve decompression,loosening of the nerve anchor after superficial nerve transposition with consequent spontaneous nerve relocation in the epitrochlear-olecranon channel,perineural fibrosis and neurodesis,which creates new nerve compression.In association with the clinical evaluation,electromyography studies,magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound are useful tools that may aid in the decision-making process when considering revision surgery.Superficial anterior transposition is the most commonly employed technique but also has a high failure rate,as opposed to anterior deep transposition that is the method of choice for many surgeons despite being more technically demanding.The results of revision surgery following recalcitrant ulnar nerve compression at the elbow are inferior to those obtained after primary surgery.Nonetheless,the clinical advantages remain relevant provided that the revision surgery is performed by an expert surgeon.To avoid misinterpretation,the patient is completely informed of the quality of results.

Anterior Subcutaneous Transposition of the Ulnar Nerve Affects Elbow Range of Motion： A Mean 13.5 Years of Follow-up

Background：Surgical decompression of the ulnar nerve is effective for cubital tunnel syndrome.However,deep approaches may result in iatrogenic elbow stiffness.This long-term study was to evaluate the range of motion （ROM） of the elbow and functional outcomes after anterior subcutaneous transposition.Methods：A total of 115 patients （78 male and 37 female;mean age：46.6 years） who underwent anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve between 2001 and 2005 were evaluated retrospectively;mean follow-up was 13.5 years.Elbow ROM was measured as flexion arc,flexion,and extension preoperatively and at the final follow-up,and compared via a mixed analysis of variance adjusting for age.Neuropathy was assessed preoperatively using a modified McGowan neuropathy grade and postoperatively using modified Wilson-Krout criteria.An ordinal logistic regression analysis used postoperative modified Wilson-Krout criteria as the outcome and preoperative factors as predictors.Results：Preoperative McGowan grades were Grade 1 in 14 patients （12.2%）,Grade 2A in 28 （24.3%）,Grade 2B in 53 （46.1%）,and Grade 3 in 20 （17.4%） patients.Postoperatively,66 patients （57.4%） had excellent results,26 （22.6%） had good results,16 （13.9%） had fair results,and 7 （6.1%） had poor results at the final follow-up,as per the Wilson-Krout criteria.There were no complications.Pre-and postoperative elbow ROM was significantly decreased in patients with previous trauma or surgery of the elbow compared with those without （P 〈 0.05）.Anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve did not significantly affect elbow ROM regardless of previous trauma or surgical history nor preoperative ROM （P 〉 0.05）,after adjusting for age.Patients with prolonged symptoms prior to surgery and worse neuropathy tended to have less satisfactory functional outcomes （P 〈 0.05）,after adjusting for covariates.Conclusions：Anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve is an effective and reliable treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome with satisfactory outcomes and minimal effect on elbow ROM.