Is anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve necessary for post-traumatic elbow stiffness? A retrospective study

Abstract Objective To explore whether anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is necessary in patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness. Method This was a retrospective study of 177 patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness treated at Shandong Provincial Hospital from 1 January 2012 to 31 Oc...

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Main Authors: Jiajun Xu, Zhanchuan Yu, Fanxiao Liu, Shun Lu, Lianxin Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05220-x
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author Jiajun Xu
Zhanchuan Yu
Fanxiao Liu
Shun Lu
Lianxin Li
author_facet Jiajun Xu
Zhanchuan Yu
Fanxiao Liu
Shun Lu
Lianxin Li
author_sort Jiajun Xu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective To explore whether anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is necessary in patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness. Method This was a retrospective study of 177 patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness treated at Shandong Provincial Hospital from 1 January 2012 to 31 October 2022. Sixty-one patients presented with ulnar nerve symptoms, and 116 patients had no nerve symptoms. Outcomes between patients with and without symptoms were compared using a range of clinical measures, namely range of motion (ROM), ulnar nerve symptoms, and various standardized scoring systems, namely, the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), visual analog scale (VAS), improved Broberg and Morrey Score (BMS), Quick disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, Oxford Elbow Score (OES), and Amadio score. Results Open elbow release surgery significantly improved elbow joint function in patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness, regardless of the presence of ulnar nerve symptoms. Patients with ulnar nerve symptoms showed significant improvement after anterior transposition compared with in situ release. For patients without ulnar nerve symptoms, there was no significant difference in outcomes between the two types of ulnar nerve surgery. Conclusion Anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is preferable for patients with ulnar nerve symptoms, while the choice between anterior transposition and in situ release can be individualized for patients without symptoms, based on intraoperative findings.
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spelling doaj-art-16ca0b76a79d419da16998d46adf75442025-08-20T02:13:32ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2024-11-011911910.1186/s13018-024-05220-xIs anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve necessary for post-traumatic elbow stiffness? A retrospective studyJiajun Xu0Zhanchuan Yu1Fanxiao Liu2Shun Lu3Lianxin Li4Department of Orthopedics, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong First Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong First Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong First Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong First Medical UniversityAbstract Objective To explore whether anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is necessary in patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness. Method This was a retrospective study of 177 patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness treated at Shandong Provincial Hospital from 1 January 2012 to 31 October 2022. Sixty-one patients presented with ulnar nerve symptoms, and 116 patients had no nerve symptoms. Outcomes between patients with and without symptoms were compared using a range of clinical measures, namely range of motion (ROM), ulnar nerve symptoms, and various standardized scoring systems, namely, the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), visual analog scale (VAS), improved Broberg and Morrey Score (BMS), Quick disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, Oxford Elbow Score (OES), and Amadio score. Results Open elbow release surgery significantly improved elbow joint function in patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness, regardless of the presence of ulnar nerve symptoms. Patients with ulnar nerve symptoms showed significant improvement after anterior transposition compared with in situ release. For patients without ulnar nerve symptoms, there was no significant difference in outcomes between the two types of ulnar nerve surgery. Conclusion Anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is preferable for patients with ulnar nerve symptoms, while the choice between anterior transposition and in situ release can be individualized for patients without symptoms, based on intraoperative findings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05220-xPost-traumatic elbow stiffnessUlnar nerveAnterior transpositionIn situ release
spellingShingle Jiajun Xu
Zhanchuan Yu
Fanxiao Liu
Shun Lu
Lianxin Li
Is anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve necessary for post-traumatic elbow stiffness? A retrospective study
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Post-traumatic elbow stiffness
Ulnar nerve
Anterior transposition
In situ release
title Is anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve necessary for post-traumatic elbow stiffness? A retrospective study
title_full Is anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve necessary for post-traumatic elbow stiffness? A retrospective study
title_fullStr Is anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve necessary for post-traumatic elbow stiffness? A retrospective study
title_full_unstemmed Is anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve necessary for post-traumatic elbow stiffness? A retrospective study
title_short Is anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve necessary for post-traumatic elbow stiffness? A retrospective study
title_sort is anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve necessary for post traumatic elbow stiffness a retrospective study
topic Post-traumatic elbow stiffness
Ulnar nerve
Anterior transposition
In situ release
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05220-x
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