Related Experiment Videos
Ulnar nerve instability in children
I Zaltz1, P M Waters, J R Kasser
1Department of Orthopaedics, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Insights
Pediatric ulnar nerve instability is common, particularly in younger children. This condition is strongly linked to generalized ligamentous laxity, indicating a need for further investigation in pediatric orthopedics.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Ulnar nerve instability can cause significant morbidity in children.
- Ligamentous laxity is a known risk factor for joint instability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of ulnar nerve instability in children.
- To investigate the relationship between ulnar nerve instability and ligamentous laxity in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design.
- Inclusion of pediatric patients across three age groups (0-5, 6-10, 11-18 years).
- Assessment of ulnar nerve instability and presence of Wynne-Davies signs for ligamentous laxity.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of dislocating ulnar nerves: 17.7% in group I, 7.7% in group II, and 5.7% in group III.
- Nerve instability was predominantly bilateral.
- In children with five Wynne-Davies signs, 25.4% had dislocating nerves and 71.9% had subluxing nerves.
- Significant statistical association found between age, ulnar nerve instability, and ligamentous laxity (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Ulnar nerve instability is prevalent in children, with higher rates in younger age groups.
- Generalized ligamentous laxity is strongly associated with pediatric ulnar nerve instability.
- Findings suggest a potential genetic predisposition or developmental factor linking ligamentous laxity and ulnar nerve instability in children.
Abstract:
We carried out a cross-sectional study to define the prevalence of ulnar nerve instability and its relationship to ligamentous laxity in the pediatric population. Children were divided into three age groups: group I (0-5 years), group II (6-10 years), and group III (11-18 years). Of children in group I 17.7%, of children in group II 7.7%, and 5.7% of children in group III had dislocating ulnar nerves. With the exception of one patient, nerve instability was bilateral. Of those children possessing all five Wynne-Davies signs of ligamentous laxity, 25.4% had dislocating nerves, 71.9% had subluxing nerves, and 2.6% had stable nerves. Age, ulnar nerve instability, and ligamentous laxity were statistically associated (p < 0.0001).