[Sequential nerve conduction studies in a patient with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow treated by night athletic...

Ulnar nerve can be stretched with the elbow flexed position. To avoid elbow flexed position in patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow we used an athletic elbow supporter. We herein demonstrate a 31-year-old man with right ulnar neuropathy at the elbow whose neuropathy was resolved by using this supporter only at night. He had complained of weakness and paraesthesia in the ulnar side of his right hand. Nerve conduction studies of right ulnar nerve revealed decrease in the amplitude of compound nerve action potentials and a severe motor nerve conduction block with apparent conduction delay around the ulnar groove. A diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow was done and we recommended him to wear an athletic elbow supporter at night. Paraesthesia of his right hand improved in a few days after starting this therapy. Three months later paraesthesia was resolved. One year later grip power of his right hand increased to 35 kg from 20 kg, and the conduction block at the elbow completely disappeared. Compound nerve action potentials, recorded at the segment of wrist to above elbow and wrist to finger, were improved equally. These observations suggest that the conduction block at the elbow entrapment site and the distal axonal degeneration gradually recovered together.