Factors related to the outcome of surgically managed compressive ulnar neuropathy at the elbow level

Forty-eight of 59 patients who had undergone initial and no secondary treatment of compressive ulnar neuropathy at the level of the elbow during the period of January, 1968, to December, 1977, were reviewed by personal follow-up examination. Cubital tunnel decompression and anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve gave equal results as to the relief of pain and dysesthesia. However, anterior subcutaneous transposition gave better total relief of paresthesias and better return of intrinsic muscle function than did cubital tunnel decompression. Submuscular transposition was not evaluated in this study. The presence of intraoperative intraneural fibrosis or preoperative intrinsic muscle weakness were factors associated with a poor result. Prolonged duration of symptoms and advanced age were relative factors associated with a poor outcome. The presence of preoperative pain, paresthesias, or a widened two-point discrimination had no association with the eventual outcome.