Musculofascial lengthening for the treatment of patients with medial epicondylitis and coexistent ulnar neuropathy

H. S. Gong, M. S. Chung, E. S. Kang, J. H. Oh, Y. H. Lee, G. H. Baek
2010 Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery  
The outcome of surgery in patients with medial epicondylitis of the elbow is less favourable in those with co-existent symptoms from the ulnar nerve. We wanted to know whether we could successfully treat such patients by using musculofascial lengthening of the flexorpronator origin with simultaneous deep transposition of the ulnar nerve. We retrospectively reviewed 19 patients who were treated in this way. Seven had grade I and 12 had grade IIa ulnar neuropathy. At a mean follow-up of 38 months
more » ... (24 to 48), the mean visual analogue scale pain scores improved from 3.7 to 0.3 at rest, from 6.6 to 2.1 with activities of daily living, and from 7.9 to 2.3 at work or sports, and the mean disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand scores improved from 42.2 to 23.5. These results suggest that this technique can be effective in treating patients with medial epicondylitis and coexistent ulnar nerve symptoms.
doi:10.1302/0301-620x.92b6.23341 pmid:20513880 fatcat:nuh47wgeljerfn7xmyhdwe2zuq