Late ulnar neuropathy in the brain-injured adult

J Hand Surg Am. 1988 Jan;13(1):120-4. doi: 10.1016/0363-5023(88)90214-6.

Abstract

Twenty-five brain-injured adults who were treated for tardy ulnar neuropathy during a 5-year period were studied. Two patients had bilateral involvement. The incidence of late ulnar neuropathy in this population was determined to be 2.5%. The ulnar neuropathy was always on the neurologically impaired side and associated with significant spasticity. Diagnosis was made when intrinsic atrophy was noted in the hand. No patient initiated a subjective complaint. Nerve conduction velocity measurements confirmed impingement of the ulnar nerve in the cubital canal in 16 cases. Twenty-one of the 27 (78%) elbows had moderate to severe heterotopic ossification causing impingement of the ulnar nerve. All patients were treated by anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. Follow-up averaged 22.7 months. Twenty-three (85%) extremities had complete recovery of ulnar nerve function. Four patients had improved but incomplete recovery of function. Prolonged compression of the nerve led to incomplete recovery.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brain Injuries / complications*
  • Brain Injuries / surgery
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle Spasticity / etiology
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / etiology*
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / surgery
  • Neural Conduction
  • Ossification, Heterotopic / complications
  • Paralysis / etiology
  • Paralysis / surgery
  • Time Factors
  • Ulnar Nerve* / surgery