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Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes

MedGen UID:
64540
•Concept ID:
C0206242
•
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: Compression, Ulnar Nerve; Nerve Compression, Ulnar; Ulnar Nerve Compression; Ulnar Nerve Compressions

Definition

Ulnar neuropathies caused by mechanical compression of the nerve at any location from its origin at the BRACHIAL PLEXUS to its terminations in the hand. Common sites of compression include the retroepicondylar groove, cubital tunnel at the elbow (CUBITAL TUNNEL SYNDROME), and Guyon''s canal at the wrist. Clinical features depend on the site of injury, but may include weakness or paralysis of wrist flexion, finger flexion, and ulnar innervated intrinsic hand muscles, and impaired sensation over the ulnar aspect of the hand, fifth finger, and ulnar half of the ring finger. (Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1995, Ch51, p43) [from MeSH]

Term Hierarchy

CClinical test,  RResearch test,  OOMIM,  GGeneReviews,  VClinVar  
  • CROGVUlnar Nerve Compression Syndromes

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Distal radius fractures: an evidence-based approach to assessment and management.
Vaghela KR, Velazquez-Pimentel D, Ahluwalia AK, Choraria A, Hunter A
Br J Hosp Med (Lond) 2020 Jun 2;81(6):1-8. Epub 2020 Jun 12 doi: 10.12968/hmed.2020.0006. PMID: 32589543
Treatment for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.
Caliandro P, La Torre G, Padua R, Giannini F, Padua L
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016 Nov 15;11(11):CD006839. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006839.pub4. PMID: 27845501Free PMC Article
Cubital tunnel syndrome - a review and management guidelines.
Assmus H, Antoniadis G, Bischoff C, Hoffmann R, Martini AK, Preissler P, Scheglmann K, Schwerdtfeger K, Wessels KD, Wüstner-Hofmann M
Cent Eur Neurosurg 2011 May;72(2):90-8. Epub 2011 May 4 doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1271800. PMID: 21547883

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Possible points of compression of the ulnar nerve: Tricks and traps that await clinicians from an anatomical point of view.
Węgiel A, Zielinska N, Tubbs RS, Olewnik Ł
Clin Anat 2022 Mar;35(2):155-173. Epub 2021 Oct 19 doi: 10.1002/ca.23798. PMID: 34610170
Treatment for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.
Caliandro P, La Torre G, Padua R, Giannini F, Padua L
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016 Nov 15;11(11):CD006839. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006839.pub4. PMID: 27845501Free PMC Article
Nerve injuries about the elbow in the athlete.
Harris JD, Lintner DM
Sports Med Arthrosc Rev 2014 Sep;22(3):e7-15. doi: 10.1097/JSA.0000000000000038. PMID: 25077754
Sports-related injuries of the wrist: an approach to MRI interpretation.
Bencardino JT, Rosenberg ZS
Clin Sports Med 2006 Jul;25(3):409-32, vi. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2006.02.007. PMID: 16798135
Cubital tunnel release with endoscopic assistance: results of a new technique.
Tsai TM, Chen IC, Majd ME, Lim BH
J Hand Surg Am 1999 Jan;24(1):21-9. doi: 10.1053/jhsu.1999.jhsu25a0021. PMID: 10048512

Diagnosis

Ulnar tunnel syndrome.
Chen SH, Tsai TM
J Hand Surg Am 2014 Mar;39(3):571-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.08.102. PMID: 24559635
Ulnar tunnel syndrome.
Bachoura A, Jacoby SM
Orthop Clin North Am 2012 Oct;43(4):467-74. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2012.07.016. PMID: 23026462
Imaging of ulnar-sided wrist pain.
Porteous R, Harish S, Parasu N
Can Assoc Radiol J 2012 Feb;63(1):18-29. Epub 2010 Sep 23 doi: 10.1016/j.carj.2010.07.007. PMID: 20864307
MR imaging of common entrapment neuropathies at the wrist.
Bordalo-Rodrigues M, Amin P, Rosenberg ZS
Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2004 May;12(2):265-79, vi. doi: 10.1016/j.mric.2004.02.008. PMID: 15172386
Peripheral nerve compression.
Gelberman RH, Eaton RG, Urbaniak JR
Instr Course Lect 1994;43:31-53. PMID: 9097136

Therapy

Utilization of Diagnostic Ultrasound in Early Detection of Heterotopic Ossification Causing Ulnar Nerve Compression.
Song B, Sambasivan A
Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2021 Feb 1;100(2):e23. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001461. PMID: 32371626
Treatment for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.
Caliandro P, La Torre G, Padua R, Giannini F, Padua L
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016 Nov 15;11(11):CD006839. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006839.pub4. PMID: 27845501Free PMC Article
Ulnar tunnel syndrome.
Bachoura A, Jacoby SM
Orthop Clin North Am 2012 Oct;43(4):467-74. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2012.07.016. PMID: 23026462
Treatment of ulnar nerve compression at the elbow.
Chung KC
J Hand Surg Am 2008 Nov;33(9):1625-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.06.024. PMID: 18984348Free PMC Article
Evaluation and treatment of elbow pain.
Kalb RL
Hosp Pract (1995) 1998 Apr 15;33(4):176, 181-2, 185. doi: 10.1080/21548331.1998.11443678. PMID: 9562840

Prognosis

Ulnar nerve dislocation in ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow. Influence on surgical outcome.
Anker I, Zimmerman M, Nyman E, Dahlin LB
Hand Surg Rehabil 2022 Feb;41(1):96-102. Epub 2021 Sep 25 doi: 10.1016/j.hansur.2021.09.003. PMID: 34583086
Ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow. A surgical series and a systematic review of the literature.
Lauretti L, D'Alessandris QG, De Simone C, Legninda Sop FY, Remore LM, Izzo A, Fernandez E
J Clin Neurosci 2017 Dec;46:99-108. Epub 2017 Sep 8 doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2017.08.012. PMID: 28890032
Ulnar tunnel syndrome.
Waugh RP, Pellegrini VD Jr
Hand Clin 2007 Aug;23(3):301-10, v. doi: 10.1016/j.hcl.2007.06.006. PMID: 17765582
Entrapment neuropathies: clinical overview.
Dawson DM
Hosp Pract (1995) 1995 Aug 15;30(8):37-40, 43-4. doi: 10.1080/21548331.1995.11443241. PMID: 7635910
Cubital tunnel syndrome. Part II: Treatment.
Folberg CR, Weiss AP, Akelman E
Orthop Rev 1994 Mar;23(3):233-41. PMID: 8022643

Clinical prediction guides

Ulnar nerve dislocation in ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow. Influence on surgical outcome.
Anker I, Zimmerman M, Nyman E, Dahlin LB
Hand Surg Rehabil 2022 Feb;41(1):96-102. Epub 2021 Sep 25 doi: 10.1016/j.hansur.2021.09.003. PMID: 34583086
Ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow. A surgical series and a systematic review of the literature.
Lauretti L, D'Alessandris QG, De Simone C, Legninda Sop FY, Remore LM, Izzo A, Fernandez E
J Clin Neurosci 2017 Dec;46:99-108. Epub 2017 Sep 8 doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2017.08.012. PMID: 28890032
Anatomy of Guyon's canal - a systematic review.
Depukat P, Mizia E, Klosinski M, Dzikowska M, Klimek-Piotrowska W, Mazur M, Kuniewicz M, Bonczar T
Folia Med Cracov 2014;54(2):81-6. PMID: 25648313
Ulnar tunnel syndrome.
Waugh RP, Pellegrini VD Jr
Hand Clin 2007 Aug;23(3):301-10, v. doi: 10.1016/j.hcl.2007.06.006. PMID: 17765582
Outcome study of ulnar nerve compression at the elbow treated with simple decompression and an early programme of physical therapy.
Nathan PA, Keniston RC, Meadows KD
J Hand Surg Br 1995 Oct;20(5):628-37. doi: 10.1016/s0266-7681(05)80125-1. PMID: 8543870

Recent systematic reviews

Postoperative ulnar neuropathy: a systematic review of evidence with narrative synthesis.
Hewson DW, Kurien T, Hardman JG
Br J Anaesth 2023 Jul;131(1):135-149. Epub 2023 May 15 doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.04.010. PMID: 37198029Free PMC Article
Results of reoperation for failed ulnar nerve surgery at the elbow: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Natroshvili T, Walbeehm ET, van Alfen N, Bartels RHMA
J Neurosurg 2019 Mar 1;130(3):686-701. Epub 2018 May 11 doi: 10.3171/2017.8.JNS17927. PMID: 29749919
Ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow. A surgical series and a systematic review of the literature.
Lauretti L, D'Alessandris QG, De Simone C, Legninda Sop FY, Remore LM, Izzo A, Fernandez E
J Clin Neurosci 2017 Dec;46:99-108. Epub 2017 Sep 8 doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2017.08.012. PMID: 28890032
Treatment for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.
Caliandro P, La Torre G, Padua R, Giannini F, Padua L
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016 Nov 15;11(11):CD006839. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006839.pub4. PMID: 27845501Free PMC Article
Anatomy of Guyon's canal - a systematic review.
Depukat P, Mizia E, Klosinski M, Dzikowska M, Klimek-Piotrowska W, Mazur M, Kuniewicz M, Bonczar T
Folia Med Cracov 2014;54(2):81-6. PMID: 25648313

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