The Surgical Approach to a Medial Epicondylectomy in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Summary:. Cubital tunnel syndrome, a common neuropathy of the upper limb, presents with sensory and motor symptoms, impacting hand function and grip strength. Surgical interventions, such as medial epicondylectomy (ME), aim to alleviate symptoms by relieving pressure on the ulnar nerve at the elbow....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Abdus S. Burahee, MBChB, Liron S. Duraku, PhD, Rajive Jose, MD, Michiel J. Zuidam, PhD, Dominic M. Power, MB, BChir
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer 2025-06-01
Series:Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006861
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849685538507849728
author Abdus S. Burahee, MBChB
Liron S. Duraku, PhD
Rajive Jose, MD
Michiel J. Zuidam, PhD
Dominic M. Power, MB, BChir
author_facet Abdus S. Burahee, MBChB
Liron S. Duraku, PhD
Rajive Jose, MD
Michiel J. Zuidam, PhD
Dominic M. Power, MB, BChir
author_sort Abdus S. Burahee, MBChB
collection DOAJ
description Summary:. Cubital tunnel syndrome, a common neuropathy of the upper limb, presents with sensory and motor symptoms, impacting hand function and grip strength. Surgical interventions, such as medial epicondylectomy (ME), aim to alleviate symptoms by relieving pressure on the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Historical attempts to treat this condition date back to the early 19th century, with procedures evolving over time. Modern techniques, including in situ decompression, transposition, and various forms of epicondylectomy, offer different approaches to address nerve compression. This article examined the evolution of ME techniques, highlighting the shift toward anatomical landmark-based referencing for precise osteotomy. Notably, adherence to consistent landmarks such as the ulnar collateral ligament and medial intermuscular septum ensures reproducibility and safety in surgical practice. Through meticulous dissection and osteotomy, ME aims to create a clear pathway for the ulnar nerve, reducing tension and preventing postoperative complications such as symptomatic nerve subluxation. Surgical success relies on thorough preoperative evaluation, precise technique execution, and attentive postoperative care. Complications, including nerve injury and joint instability, underscore the importance of surgical precision and patient monitoring. By prioritizing anatomical landmarks and using meticulous technique, ME offers a reliable solution for cubital tunnel syndrome, providing patients with improved function and symptom relief.
format Article
id doaj-art-7c07d22a8b8f40e293c5f0c433ddb1fd
institution DOAJ
issn 2169-7574
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer
record_format Article
series Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
spelling doaj-art-7c07d22a8b8f40e293c5f0c433ddb1fd2025-08-20T03:23:07ZengWolters KluwerPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open2169-75742025-06-01136e686110.1097/GOX.0000000000006861202506000-00034The Surgical Approach to a Medial Epicondylectomy in Cubital Tunnel SyndromeAbdus S. Burahee, MBChB0Liron S. Duraku, PhD1Rajive Jose, MD2Michiel J. Zuidam, PhD3Dominic M. Power, MB, BChir4From the * The Peripheral Nerve Injury Service, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom† Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsFrom the * The Peripheral Nerve Injury Service, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom§ Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.From the * The Peripheral Nerve Injury Service, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United KingdomSummary:. Cubital tunnel syndrome, a common neuropathy of the upper limb, presents with sensory and motor symptoms, impacting hand function and grip strength. Surgical interventions, such as medial epicondylectomy (ME), aim to alleviate symptoms by relieving pressure on the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Historical attempts to treat this condition date back to the early 19th century, with procedures evolving over time. Modern techniques, including in situ decompression, transposition, and various forms of epicondylectomy, offer different approaches to address nerve compression. This article examined the evolution of ME techniques, highlighting the shift toward anatomical landmark-based referencing for precise osteotomy. Notably, adherence to consistent landmarks such as the ulnar collateral ligament and medial intermuscular septum ensures reproducibility and safety in surgical practice. Through meticulous dissection and osteotomy, ME aims to create a clear pathway for the ulnar nerve, reducing tension and preventing postoperative complications such as symptomatic nerve subluxation. Surgical success relies on thorough preoperative evaluation, precise technique execution, and attentive postoperative care. Complications, including nerve injury and joint instability, underscore the importance of surgical precision and patient monitoring. By prioritizing anatomical landmarks and using meticulous technique, ME offers a reliable solution for cubital tunnel syndrome, providing patients with improved function and symptom relief.http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006861
spellingShingle Abdus S. Burahee, MBChB
Liron S. Duraku, PhD
Rajive Jose, MD
Michiel J. Zuidam, PhD
Dominic M. Power, MB, BChir
The Surgical Approach to a Medial Epicondylectomy in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
title The Surgical Approach to a Medial Epicondylectomy in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
title_full The Surgical Approach to a Medial Epicondylectomy in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
title_fullStr The Surgical Approach to a Medial Epicondylectomy in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
title_full_unstemmed The Surgical Approach to a Medial Epicondylectomy in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
title_short The Surgical Approach to a Medial Epicondylectomy in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
title_sort surgical approach to a medial epicondylectomy in cubital tunnel syndrome
url http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006861
work_keys_str_mv AT abdussburaheembchb thesurgicalapproachtoamedialepicondylectomyincubitaltunnelsyndrome
AT lironsdurakuphd thesurgicalapproachtoamedialepicondylectomyincubitaltunnelsyndrome
AT rajivejosemd thesurgicalapproachtoamedialepicondylectomyincubitaltunnelsyndrome
AT michieljzuidamphd thesurgicalapproachtoamedialepicondylectomyincubitaltunnelsyndrome
AT dominicmpowermbbchir thesurgicalapproachtoamedialepicondylectomyincubitaltunnelsyndrome
AT abdussburaheembchb surgicalapproachtoamedialepicondylectomyincubitaltunnelsyndrome
AT lironsdurakuphd surgicalapproachtoamedialepicondylectomyincubitaltunnelsyndrome
AT rajivejosemd surgicalapproachtoamedialepicondylectomyincubitaltunnelsyndrome
AT michieljzuidamphd surgicalapproachtoamedialepicondylectomyincubitaltunnelsyndrome
AT dominicmpowermbbchir surgicalapproachtoamedialepicondylectomyincubitaltunnelsyndrome