Síndrome do Túnel Cubital
Patients › Elbow
Cubital tunnel syndrome causes ulnar nerve compression at the elbow — symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
O que você está sentindo
Você provavelmente está experimentando dor, formigamento ou dormência nos dedos anelar e mínimo. Isso ocorre porque o nervo ulnar está sendo comprimido no seu cotovelo. Esta condição é conhecida como síndrome do túnel cubital. É a forma mais comum de aprisionamento para este nervo específico. É também o segundo problema de compressão nervosa mais comum no seu braço superior.
O desconforto frequentemente piora quando você flexiona o cotovelo por longos períodos. Você pode notar que aumenta quando dorme com o braço encolhido. Muitos pacientes descobrem que os sintomas se agravam à noite ou ao acordar. Colocar a mão atrás das costas para fechar um sutiã pode se tornar difícil. Esconder a camisa dentro da calça também pode desencadear dor ou fraqueza. Você pode sentir uma sensação de instabilidade ou desajeitamento na mão.
Homens com esta condição têm maior probabilidade de notar atrofia muscular na mão. Isso é chamado de atrofia muscular. Ocorre com mais frequência em homens do que em mulheres. A condição também pode afetar pessoas que enfrentam dificuldades econômicas. Esses pacientes frequentemente necessitam de cirurgia em uma idade mais precoce do que outros.
Se os seus sintomas forem leves ou moderados, você pode se beneficiar de tratamentos não cirúrgicos. A maioria dos pacientes com esses níveis de gravidade melhora sem uma operação. No entanto, se você for uma criança ou adolescente, a condição é rara. O tratamento não cirúrgico é improvável de resolver os sintomas em pacientes mais jovens.
Seu cirurgião discutirá seu diagnóstico com base em probabilidades, em vez de certezas. Não há um único teste que confirme esta condição com 100% de precisão. A avaliação clínica é a parte mais importante do diagnóstico. Quase quarenta por cento dos pacientes com um diagnóstico provisório tinham outro problema nervoso ou resultados de teste normais. Se os seus sintomas forem graves, você pode se beneficiar de uma referência mais precoce para avaliação de cirurgia de mão.
O que está realmente acontecendo
A síndrome do túnel cubital ocorre quando o nervo ulnar é comprimido ou esticado no cotovelo. Esse nervo percorre o trajeto do pescoço até a mão. Ele passa por um túnel estreito na face interna do cotovelo. Pense nesse túnel como uma manga apertada. Quando o espaço interno diminui, o nervo perde sua liberdade de movimento.
Seu cotovelo não é apenas uma articulação de dobradiça simples. É uma articulação complexa onde ossos e tecidos moles interagem. Ao flexionar o braço, a forma do cotovelo muda. O osso dentro do túnel empurra para o espaço, estreitando-o ainda mais. Essa mudança dinâmica exerce pressão sobre o nervo. Mesmo que você não dobre o braço completamente, a flexão repetitiva ainda pode causar danos. De fato, a flexão parcial repetida pode irritar o nervo mais do que mantê-lo totalmente estendido ou totalmente flexionado.
O nervo também precisa deslizar suavemente conforme você move o pulso e os dedos. Se a posição do seu ombro mudar, isso puxa o nervo no cotovelo. Essa tensão adicional adiciona esforço a uma área já sensível. Para algumas pessoas, um músculo extra ou um ligamento solto adiciona ainda mais pressão. Isso é menos comum, mas pode aprisionar o nervo ainda mais.
Quando o nervo está comprimido, ele não consegue enviar sinais adequadamente. Isso leva ao formigamento, dormência ou fraqueza que você sente nos dedos anelar e mínimo. O problema não é apenas a pressão estática. É a combinação de compressão, estiramento e redução do fluxo sanguíneo para o nervo. Compreender isso ajuda seu cirurgião a escolher o tratamento adequado. A cirurgia visa criar mais espaço para que o nervo se mova livremente novamente.
O que podemos fazer a respeito
A maioria dos pacientes com sintomas leves ou moderados encontra alívio por meio de tratamento conservador. Sua jornada geralmente começa com o autocuidado e a fisioterapia. Pode ser aconselhado evitar apoiar-se no cotovelo ou mantê-lo flexionado por longos períodos. A fisioterapia visa reduzir a irritação e melhorar o movimento do nervo. Esta abordagem tem pouca probabilidade de resolver os sintomas em pacientes pediátricos e adolescentes, portanto, as crianças podem precisar de um caminho diferente. Dê ao tratamento não operatório uma chance justa antes de considerar outras opções.
O manejo médico concentra-se no controle da dor e da inflamação. Seu cirurgião pode recomendar analgésicos ou anti-inflamatórios para ajudá-lo a gerenciar as atividades diárias. Embora as evidências não detalhem injeções específicas como cortisona, ácido hialurônico ou PRP para esta condição, seu clínico discutirá o que é apropriado para o seu caso. O objetivo é acalmar o nervo irritado para que você possa participar da terapia. Observe que quase quarenta por cento dos pacientes com um diagnóstico provisório apresentavam outra patologia nervosa ou um estudo de condução nervosa normal, portanto, o diagnóstico preciso é fundamental antes de iniciar a medicação.
Se o cuidado conservador atingir seu limite, a cirurgia pode ser considerada. A cirurgia é eficaz no tratamento da síndrome do túnel cubital, com mais de 90% dos pacientes curados ou apresentando melhora. Não há consenso sobre o único melhor tratamento cirúrgico, e a maioria dos cirurgiões utiliza mais de um procedimento operatório com base nos seus fatores específicos. Um subconjunto de pacientes pode se beneficiar de uma referência mais precoce para avaliação de cirurgia da mão. A reoperação após a cirurgia primária fornece resultados satisfatórios para aqueles que falham no tratamento conservador. Seu cirurgião discutirá a melhor abordagem para você, tendo em mente que a avaliação clínica é primordial no diagnóstico.
O que esperar
A síndrome do túnel cubital geralmente se desenvolve lentamente. Você pode notar sintomas mais cedo do que alguém com síndrome do túnel do carpo, mas essa condição tende a progredir de forma mais gradual. Para muitas pessoas, a condição não se resolve espontaneamente. Um subgrupo de pacientes pode se beneficiar de encaminhamento mais precoce para avaliação cirúrgica da mão e cirurgia antecipada. Isso pode ajudar a prevenir danos nervosos a longo prazo.
A cirurgia é geralmente eficaz. Mais de 90% dos pacientes são curados ou apresentam melhora após o tratamento. Seu cirurgião buscará aliviar a pressão sobre o nervo ulnar. Este é o nervo que atravessa o cotovelo. Os sintomas em distribuição extra-ulnar podem resolver após a descompressão do túnel cubital. Os resultados relatados pelos pacientes são bons, mas são afetados pela gravidade dos sintomas pré-operatórios. Se você teve sintomas por um longo tempo, a recuperação pode parecer diferente da de alguém com início recente.
As complicações são incomuns. As taxas de complicações a curto prazo da cirurgia do túnel cubital são baixas (3,2%). No entanto, essas taxas são mais altas para pacientes com doença renal crônica. Seu cirurgião tomará cuidado para evitar cirurgias de revisão desnecessárias, prestando atenção detalhada às estruturas próximas ao cotovelo.
Se você precisar de cirurgia novamente, os resultados são menos previsíveis e satisfatórios do que na cirurgia primária. A reoperação após a cirurgia primária da síndrome do túnel cubital proporcionou resultados satisfatórios para pacientes que não responderam ao tratamento conservador, mas os resultados não são garantidos. Atualmente, não há consenso sobre o melhor tratamento cirúrgico da síndrome do túnel cubital. Seu cirurgião escolherá um método com base na sua anatomia específica e em sua experiência.
A recuperação é gradual. Você pode notar uma melhora mais rápida dos sintomas se tiver um músculo anômalo no braço. A maioria das pessoas retorna às atividades normais à medida que a dor diminui. No entanto, não há diferenças significativas nos resultados a longo prazo após a descompressão in situ aberta e por endoscópio com retractor do nervo ulnar na síndrome do túnel cubital. O objetivo é restaurar a função e reduzir o desconforto. Com os cuidados adequados, você pode esperar uma boa qualidade de vida após o tratamento.
Quando procurar ajuda
Consulte o seu médico de família se tiver dor persistente que não melhora com o repouso. Solicite uma avaliação especializada se notar fraqueza ou instabilidade na mão. A síndrome do túnel cubital é a forma mais comum de compressão do nervo ulnar. É também a segunda síndrome de compressão nervosa mais frequente do membro superior. Pode apresentar-se numa fase mais precoce da doença do que os pacientes com síndrome do túnel do carpo. Os sintomas que interferem com o sono ou com o trabalho são um sinal claro de que deve procurar ajuda. A maioria dos pacientes com sintomas ligeiros ou moderados beneficia de tratamento conservador. No entanto, a avaliação clínica é fundamental, pois os testes eletrodiagnósticos frequentemente não são suficientemente sensíveis. O diagnóstico deve ser discutido em termos de probabilidades, e não de certezas.
Evidence & references
Overview
- Cubital tunnel syndrome involves related anatomy, clinical presentation, and current management options [1].
- A subset of patients with cubital tunnel syndrome may benefit from earlier referral for hand surgery evaluation and earlier surgery [2].
- Patient-reported outcomes of surgical treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome are good but are affected by preoperative symptom severity [4].
- Surgery is effective in treating cubital tunnel syndrome, with more than 90% of patients cured or showing improvement [5].
- More rigorous scientific studies are needed to determine the most effective surgical approaches for cubital tunnel syndrome [6].
- A treatment algorithm has been proposed to provide clarity about the challenges of treating the complex patient population with cubital tunnel syndrome [7].
- There is currently no consensus on the best surgical treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome [8].
- Carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome requiring surgery is more common in deprived patients and occurs at an earlier age [12].
- Endoscopic cubital tunnel decompression has gained popularity, with early short-term results showing satisfactory outcomes and minimal complications [14].
- The selection of operative procedures for cubital tunnel syndrome is influenced by patient factors and surgeon preference, with most surgeons using more than one operative procedure [29].
Anatomy & Pathophysiology
- Definitions for the degree of ulnar nerve instability at the elbow are not uniformly agreed upon [28].
- With elbow flexion, the ulnar nerve did not move appreciably in the distal–proximal direction directly at the cubital tunnel [49].
- Maximal ulnar nerve excursion during elbow flexion occurs in the fatty region proximal to the elbow [49].
- The humeral trochlea protrudes into the cubital tunnel during elbow flexion, causing dynamic morphologic changes in the ulnar nerve [50].
- Tearing of the ulnar collateral ligament significantly increases elbow valgus laxity, which elongates the ulnar nerve during simulated throwing motion [51].
- Increased elbow flexion influences the intraneural blood flow of the ulnar nerve in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome [57].
- Exposure to lesser extraneural pressure by repetitive non-maximum elbow flexion might be more deleterious than maximum flexion pressure in cubital tunnel syndrome [55].
- Shoulder position changes the ulnar nerve strain around the elbow in living patients with cubital tunnel syndrome [56].
- The mechanism of symptom provocation by the elbow flexion test cannot be explained simply by dynamic pressure in the cubital tunnel, suggesting other pathophysiological factors contribute [58].
- Ulnar nerve gliding is most severe during passive wrist movement in elbow flexion and forearm supination [59].
- The study could not detect a definitive effect of elbow deformity (cubitus valgus/varus) on ulnar nerve strain or demonstrate the extent of acceptable clinical elbow deformity [61].
- The throwing elbow is a common source of nerve injuries due to the unique combination of anatomy, high forces, and sheer repetition associated with throwing sports [62].
- Dynamic ulnar nerve compression at the elbow due to the anconeus epitrochlearis muscle is an uncommon disorder with much remaining to be elucidated about its incidence and pathophysiologic mechanisms [64].
Classification
- Cubital tunnel syndrome is the most common form of entrapment of the ulnar nerve [18].
- Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common nerve compression syndrome of the upper extremity [18].
- Definitions for the degree of ulnar nerve instability at the elbow are not uniformly agreed upon [28].
- Further development of a classification system for ulnar nerve instability may be warranted to standardize treatment [28].
- High-resolution ultrasound (HRU) shows good correspondence to clinical and ENMG classifications in cubital tunnel syndrome [35].
- An intraoperative ulnar nerve subluxation classification system has promise in preventing adverse complications of ulnar nerve hypermobility after endoscopic cubital tunnel release [43].
Clinical Presentation
- Cubital tunnel syndrome is the most common form of entrapment of the ulnar nerve [18].
- Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common nerve compression syndrome of the upper extremity [18].
- Patients with cubital tunnel syndrome present earlier in the course of their disease than patients with carpal tunnel syndrome [3].
- Men with cubital tunnel syndrome are more likely to present with muscle atrophy than women [10].
- Carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome requiring surgery is more common in deprived patients and occurs at an earlier age [12].
- The majority of patients suffering from cubital tunnel syndrome with mild or moderate symptoms benefit from conservative treatment [20].
- Cubital tunnel syndrome in pediatric or adolescent patients is rare [19].
- Non-operative treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome in pediatric and adolescent patients is unlikely to resolve symptoms [22].
- There is no consensus reference standard for the diagnosis of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome [11].
- Provocative tests for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome have inadequate or inconsistent sensitivity and specificity [11].
- Diagnosis of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome should be discussed in terms of probabilities rather than certainties [11].
- Clinical evaluation is paramount in the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome because electrodiagnostic testing often is not sufficiently sensitive to detect changes associated with the syndrome [17].
- Nearly forty percent of patients with a provisional diagnosis of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome had either another nerve pathology or a normal nerve conduction study [21].
Investigations
- Provocative tests for cubital tunnel syndrome have inadequate or inconsistent sensitivity and specificity [11].
- There is no consensus reference standard for the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome [11].
- Diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome should be discussed in terms of probabilities rather than certainties [11].
- Electrodiagnostic testing is often not sufficiently sensitive to detect changes associated with cubital tunnel syndrome [17].
- Clinical evaluation is paramount in the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome [17].
- Nearly forty percent of patients with a provisional diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome had either another nerve pathology or a normal nerve conduction study [21].
- Ulnar nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) measured by ultrasound is useful for the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome [47].
- Ulnar nerve CSA measured by ultrasound is most significantly different between patients and controls at the medial epicondyle [47].
- Power Doppler ultrasound has high predictive value for severe cubital tunnel syndrome defined by axonal loss [54].
- MRI is an effective diagnostic modality for identifying primary synovial chondromatosis as a causative factor of cubital tunnel syndrome [38].
- Only a small number of individuals with MRI evidence of an anconeus epitrochlearis muscle (AEM) had clinical evidence of ulnar neuropathy [48].
- Cubital tunnel decompression is associated with prior trauma to the anatomic site [53].
Treatment
Non-Operative Management
- The majority of patients with mild or moderate cubital tunnel syndrome symptoms benefit from conservative treatment [20].
- Non-operative treatment is unlikely to resolve symptoms in pediatric and adolescent patients [22].
Operative Management: General Principles and Selection
- There is currently no consensus on the best surgical treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome [8].
- Most surgeons use more than one operative procedure for cubital tunnel syndrome, with selection influenced by patient factors and surgeon preference [29].
- Surgery is effective in treating cubital tunnel syndrome, with more than 90% of patients cured or showing improvement [5].
- None of the surgical techniques has demonstrated universal superiority above all others, but all appear to be effective [41].
- A subset of patients may benefit from earlier referral for hand surgery evaluation and earlier surgery [2].
- Reoperation after primary surgery provides satisfactory results for patients who fail conservative treatment [15].
- In situ decompression of the ulnar nerve is a reliable treatment with a low failure rate [40].
Operative Techniques: Decompression
- Simple decompression with a small skin incision yielded satisfactory results in 14 of 18 elbows with no postoperative dislocation of the ulnar nerve [32].
- Endoscopic and open in situ decompression techniques demonstrate similar effectiveness, outcomes, complication profiles, and reoperation rates for idiopathic cubital tunnel syndrome [39].
- The patient-reported outcome of surgical treatment is good but is affected by preoperative symptom severity [4].
Operative Techniques: Transposition and Other Procedures
- Both minimal medial epicondylectomy and anterior subcutaneous transposition can be used for cubital tunnel syndrome with a high rate of satisfaction [37].
- Medial epicondylectomy is recommended for patients with cubital tunnel syndrome associated with abnormal nerve-conduction velocity [33].
- The procedure offers complete release of constricting structures while preserving blood supply to the nerve and allowing early postoperative elbow mobilization [25].
Operative Techniques: Specialized and Combined Procedures
- Bony encasement of the ulnar nerve secondary to heterotopic ossification of the elbow is treated with an approach that leads to superior range of motion, improved or resolved ulnar neuropathy, and good to excellent long-term functional outcomes [26].
- Dual endoscopic carpal and cubital tunnel release is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with concurrent syndromes recalcitrant to nonsurgical management [36].
Complications
- Surgery was effective in treating cubital tunnel syndrome with more than 90% of patients cured or showing improvement [5].
- The short-term complication rates of cubital tunnel surgery are low (3.2%) [24].
- Short-term complication rates for cubital tunnel surgery are higher for patients with chronic kidney disease [24].
- Endoscopic cubital tunnel decompression shows satisfactory outcomes and minimal complications [14].
- Reoperation after primary surgery of cubital tunnel syndrome gave satisfactory results for patients who fail conservative treatment [15].
- Results of revision surgery for recurrent or persistent cubital tunnel syndrome are less predictable and satisfying than primary surgery [31].
- Poor outcomes and unnecessary revision surgeries for cubital tunnel syndrome can be avoided with intraoperative attention to 7 structures distal to the medial epicondyle [44].
Recovery
- Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome present earlier in the course of their disease than patients with cubital tunnel syndrome [3].
- A subset of patients with cubital tunnel syndrome may benefit from earlier referral for hand surgery evaluation and earlier surgery [2].
- The patient-reported outcome of surgical treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome is good but is affected by preoperative symptom severity [4].
- Surgery was effective in treating cubital tunnel syndrome with more than 90% of patients cured or showing improvement [5].
- Symptoms in an extra-ulnar distribution can resolve following cubital tunnel release [9].
- Reliable, reproducible, and valid outcomes measures are lacking from the surgical literature for cubital tunnel syndrome [13].
- Endoscopic cubital tunnel decompression shows satisfactory outcomes and minimal complications in early short-term results [14].
- Reoperation after primary surgery of cubital tunnel syndrome gave satisfactory results for patients who fail conservative treatment [15].
- The short-term complication rates of cubital tunnel surgery are low (3.2%), but higher for patients with chronic kidney disease [24].
- Treatment of bony encasement of the ulnar nerve secondary to heterotopic ossification leads to superior range of motion, improved or resolved ulnar neuropathy, and good to excellent long-term functional outcomes [26].
- There are no significant differences in long-term outcomes after open and retractor-endoscopic in situ decompression of the ulnar nerve in cubital tunnel syndrome [30].
- Results of revision surgery for recurrent or persistent cubital tunnel syndrome are less predictable and satisfying than primary surgery [31].
- Patients with an anomalous muscle (AE) experience quicker symptom improvement after cubital tunnel release than those without the anomalous muscle [34].
Key Evidence
- [L5] This article reviews related anatomy, clinical presentation, and current management options for cubital tunnel syndrome with an emphasis on contemporary outcomes research. [1] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2015.03.011)
- [L3] A subset of patients with cubital tunnel syndrome may benefit from earlier referral for hand surgery evaluation and earlier surgery. [2] (10.1177/15589447211058821)
- [L4] Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome present earlier in the course of their disease than patients with cubital tunnel syndrome. [3] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2007.03.009)
- [L3] The patient-reported outcome of surgical treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome is good but is affected by preoperative symptom severity. [4] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2009.05.014)
- [L4] Surgery was effective in treating cubital tunnel syndrome with more than 90% of patients cured or showing improvement. [5] (10.1016/j.otsr.2014.03.009)
- [L4] More rigorous scientific studies are needed to determine the most effective surgical approaches for cubital tunnel syndrome. [6] (10.1007/s12178-020-09650-y)
- [L4] The purpose of this review is to summarize the most up-to-date literature regarding cubital tunnel syndrome and propose a treatment algorithm to provide clarity about the challenges of treating this complex patient population. [7] (10.1016/j.jhsg.2022.07.008)
- [L5] There is currently no consensus on the best surgical treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. [8] (10.1016/j.ocl.2012.07.017)
- [L3] This study documents resolution of symptoms in an extra-ulnar distribution after cubital tunnel release. [9] (10.1007/s11552-014-9688-9)
- [L4] Men with cubital tunnel syndrome are more likely to present with muscle atrophy than women. [10] (10.1177/1558944716643096)
- [L4] There is no consensus reference standard for the diagnosis of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, and provocative tests have inadequate or inconsistent sensitivity and specificity; diagnosis should be discussed in terms of probabilities rather than certainties. [11] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2011.03.021)
- [L4] Carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome requiring surgery is more common in deprived patients and occurs at an earlier age. [12] (10.1177/1753193420939384)
- [L3] Reliable, reproducible, and valid outcomes measures are lacking from the surgical literature for cubital tunnel syndrome. [13] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2009.05.010)
- [L5] Endoscopic cubital tunnel decompression has gained popularity with early short-term results being encouraging, showing satisfactory outcomes and minimal complications. [14] (10.1136/jisakos-2020-000506)
- [L4] Clinical evaluation is paramount in the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome because electrodiagnostic testing often is not sufficiently sensitive to detect changes associated with the syndrome. [17] (10.1016/j.hcl.2013.08.019)
- [L5] Cubital tunnel syndrome is the most common form of entrapment of the ulnar nerve and the second most common nerve compression syndrome of the upper extremity. [18] (10.1016/s0749-0712(21)00356-5)
- [L3] Cubital tunnel syndrome in pediatric or adolescent patients is rare and can be treated successfully with surgical intervention. [19] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.01.016)
- [L2] The majority of patients suffering from cubital tunnel syndrome with mild or moderate symptoms benefit from conservative treatment. [20] (10.1177/1753193408098480)
- [L4] Nearly forty percent of patients with a provisional diagnosis of CubTS had either another nerve pathology or a normal test. [21] (10.1016/j.jse.2020.01.064)
- [L4] Non-operative treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome in pediatric and adolescent patients is unlikely to resolve symptoms. [22] (10.1016/s0363-5023(11)60063-4)
- [L4] The short-term complication rates of cubital tunnel surgery are low (3.2%), but higher for patients with chronic kidney disease. [24] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2017.01.020)
- [L5] The procedure offers complete release of constricting structures while preserving blood supply to the nerve and allowing early postoperative elbow mobilization. [25] (10.1016/s0749-0712(21)00325-5)
- [L4] This treatment approach leads to superior range of motion, improved or resolved ulnar neuropathy, and good to excellent long-term functional outcomes. [26] (10.1016/j.jse.2023.12.003)
- [L4] Most surgeons use more than one operative procedure in their treatment of patients with cubital tunnel syndrome and the selection of the operative procedure is influenced by patient factors and surgeon preference. [29] (10.1007/s11552-008-9133-z)
- [L3] There are no significant differences in long-term outcomes after open and retractor-endoscopic in situ decompression of the ulnar nerve in cubital tunnel syndrome. [30] (10.1227/neu.0b013e3182846dbd)
- [L4] Results of revision surgery for recurrent or persistent cubital tunnel syndrome are less predictable and satisfying than primary surgery. [31] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2011.11.024)
- [L4] The technique yielded satisfactory results in 14 of 18 elbows with no postoperative dislocation of the ulnar nerve. [32] (10.1054/jhsb.2002.0821)
- [L4] The procedure is recommended for patients with cubital tunnel syndrome associated with abnormal nerve-conduction velocity. [33] (10.2106/00004623-198062060-00016)
- [L3] Patients with an AE experience quicker symptom improvement after cubital tunnel release than those without the anomalous muscle. [34] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2017.06.033)
- [L4] HRU proved to be an effective diagnostic tool for cubital tunnel syndrome and its etiologies, showing good correspondence to clinical and ENMG classifications. [35] (10.1016/j.otsr.2014.03.008)
- [L4] Preliminary data demonstrate that dual endoscopic carpal and cubital tunnel release is a safe and effective treatment option for patients who present with concurrent cubital and carpal tunnel syndromes recalcitrant to nonsurgical management. [36] (10.1007/s11552-013-9552-3)
- [L3] Both methods can be used for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome with a high rate of satisfaction. [37] (10.1016/j.jse.2005.10.007)
- [Case_report] MRI is an effective diagnostic modality, and clinicians should be aware of primary synovial chondromatosis as a causative factor of cubital tunnel syndrome. [38] (10.1177/1758573216683396)
- [L1] The current study demonstrates similar effectiveness between the endoscopic (ECTuR) and open (OCTuR) techniques for treatment of idiopathic cubital tunnel syndrome with similar outcomes, complication profiles, and reoperation rates. [39] (10.1177/1558944715616097)
- [L4] In situ decompression of the ulnar nerve is a reliable treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome with a low failure rate. [40] (10.1177/1753193408101467)
- [L4] None of the techniques in this review has demonstrated universal superiority above all others, but all appear to be effective in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. [41] (10.3389/fsurg.2018.00048)
- [L4] Our preliminary report of patients shows satisfactory outcomes, which suggests that our intraoperative ulnar nerve subluxation classification system has promise in preventing adverse complications of ulnar nerve hypermobility after endoscopic cubital tunnel release. [43] (10.1016/j.jhsg.2020.05.001)
- [L5] Poor outcomes and unnecessary revision surgeries for cubital tunnel syndrome can be avoided with intraoperative attention to 7 structures distal to the medial epicondyle. [44] (10.1177/1558944718771390)
- [L1] The ulnar nerve CSA measured by US imaging is useful for the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS), and is most significantly different between patients and controls at the medial epicondyle. [47] (10.1016/j.apmr.2017.08.467)
- [L4] Only a small number of individuals with MRI evidence of an AEM had clinical evidence of ulnar neuropathy. [48] (10.1016/j.jse.2018.03.021)
- [L5] With elbow flexion, the ulnar nerve did not move appreciably in the distal–proximal direction directly at the cubital tunnel, but maximal excursion was in the fatty region proximal to the elbow. [49] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.03.016)
- [L5] The humeral trochlea protrudes into the cubital tunnel during elbow flexion, causing dynamic morphologic changes in the ulnar nerve. [50] (10.1016/j.jse.2022.05.026)
- [L5] Tearing of the UCL significantly increased elbow valgus laxity, which in turn elongated the ulnar nerve during simulated throwing motion. [51] (10.1016/j.jse.2019.02.009)
- [L4] Cubital tunnel decompression is associated with prior trauma to the anatomic site. [53] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2017.07.009)
- [L3] Power Doppler ultrasound demonstrated high predictive value for severe cubital tunnel syndrome defined by axonal loss. [54] (10.1177/15589447221127334)
- [L4] The increased pressure in the cubital tunnel could still be important, as exposure to a lesser extraneural pressure by repetitive non-maximum elbow flexion might be more deleterious. [55] (10.3109/2000656x.2012.747962)
- [L4] To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing that shoulder position changes the ulnar nerve strain around the elbow in living patients with CubTS. [56] (10.1016/j.jse.2015.01.014)
- [L3] Increased elbow flexion in patients with CuTS influences the intraneural blood flow of the ulnar nerve. [57] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2021.06.024)
- [L3] The mechanism of provocation of symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome by the elbow flexion test could not be explained simply by dynamic pressure in the cubital tunnel, and other pathophysiological factors could also be contributing. [58] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2010.11.013)
- [L4] Ulnar nerve gliding was most severe during passive wrist movement in elbow flexion and forearm supination. [59] (10.5397/cise.2024.00934)
- [L5] The study could not detect a definitive effect of elbow deformity on ulnar nerve strain or demonstrate the extent of acceptable clinical elbow deformity. [61] (10.1186/s12891-022-05786-9)
- [L5] The throwing elbow is a common source of nerve injuries due to the unique combination of anatomy, high forces, and sheer repetition associated with throwing sports. [62] (10.1016/j.csm.2004.04.012)
- [L4] Dynamic ulnar nerve compression at the elbow due to the anconeus epitrochlearis muscle is an uncommon, little-known disorder with much remaining to be elucidated about its incidence and pathophysiologic mechanisms. [64] (10.1016/j.jhsg.2022.11.002)
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