Diagnosis and management of ulnar nerve entrapment

Ulnar nerve entrapment can be divided into compression at the elbow and the wrist. Etiologies range from direct trauma to metabolic derangements. Guidelines for diagnosis at each site have been presented. Surgical release at the elbow begin at the mid arm where the nerve passes from the anterior to the posterior compartment through the intermuscular septum and extends into the proximal forearm, where it dives down under the heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris. Surgical release at the wrist involves deroofing the canal of Guyon. The authors' preferred methods of release at each site are given along with a description of positive care.