Minimal medial epicondylectomy and decompression for cubital tunnel syndrome

Sixty-four patients (66 elbows) treated for refractory cubital tunnel syndrome had minimal medial epicondylectomy and in situ decompression to minimize the potential disadvantages of classic medial epicondylectomy. After a mean followup of 27 months results were excellent in 27 patients (44%), good in 23 patients (35%), fair in 10 patients (15%), and poor in four patients (6%). No ulnar nerve palsy, ulnar nerve subluxation, or medial elbow instability were seen. The main complaint of patients regarding the procedure was tenderness at the osteotomy site. The results show that minimal medial epicondylectomy and in situ decompression of the ulnar nerve is a safe and effective method to treat patients with cubital tunnel syndrome. This procedure minimizes the disadvantage of medial instability and recurrent symptoms attributable to nerve trauma after a classic medial epicondylectomy.