Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2025
In Vivo Electrophysiological Measurement of the Rat Ulnar Nerve with Axonal Excitability Testing
Published on: February 6, 2018
Comparison of electrodiagnostic findings in acute traumatic versus chronic non-traumatic ulnar neuropathy at the
Lawrence R Robinson1, Peter Broadhurst1, Alex Wasserman2
1Department of Medicine, Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Introduction/Aims:
A common concept is that traumatic nerve injuries are more likely axonal, and that compressive neuropathies are more likely demyelinating. The purpose of this study was to compare traumatic versus non-traumatic ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE) to look for electrodiagnostic differences between the two groups.
Methods:
A retrospective 3 year review of UNE patients at two academic health science centers was conducted. Patients were grouped into acute traumatic UNE versus chronic non-traumatic UNE based on clinical history. Electrodiagnostic measurements were compared between the two groups.
Results:
There were 50 subjects with acute traumatic UNE and 41 with chronic non-traumatic UNE. Mean age and sex distribution were similar but those with traumatic UNE had a 7 month duration of symptoms, while those with chronic UNE had 29 month duration (p < .001). All electrodiagnostic measurements were similar between the two groups including compound muscle action potential amplitudes, motor conduction velocities, frequency of conduction block, sensory nerve studies, and needle electromyography.
Discussion:
We did not find a difference between the two groups. One should not make inferences regarding acuity or etiology based on electrodiagnostic features alone.
