Clinical classification and treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome

Qing,Cui; Zhang,Jianhua; Wu,Shidong; Ling,Zhao; Wang,Shuanchi; Li,Haoran; Li,Haiqing

doi:10.3892/etm.2014.1983

November-2014 Volume 8 Issue 5

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November-2014 Volume 8 Issue 5

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Clinical classification and treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome

Authors:
- Cui Qing
- Jianhua Zhang
- Shidong Wu
- Zhao Ling
- Shuanchi Wang
- Haoran Li
- Haiqing Li
View Affiliations / Copyright

Affiliations: Department of Orthopaedics, Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, Hebei 061001, P.R. China
Pages: 1365-1370
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Published online on: September 22, 2014

https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2014.1983
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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate a new clinical classification of cubital tunnel syndrome that provides an improved basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Retrospective analysis was performed on 341 patients with cubital tunnel syndrome. Based on the etiology, signs and symptoms, neurophysiological tests and computed tomography (CT) imaging, a new clinical classification was proposed. The patients enrolled in the study were treated according to the new classification. According to the new classification, cubital tunnel syndrome cases were divided into types I‑IV. Treatment for patients with type I consisted of rest, immobilization or physiotherapy, while patients with type II received simple ulnar neurolysis. Type III patients underwent ulnar neurolysis with expansion of the ulnar nerve sulcus or ulnar nerve anterior transposition surgery. Type IV patients represented a subgroup of cubital tunnel syndrome cases caused by factors other than degenerative joint diseases, including cysts, tumors, traumatic fracture, deformity and elbow deformity. Patients of this type received appropriate surgical treatment according to the specific etiology. Based on previous classifications that relied on sensation and strength symptoms, a new clinical classification of elbow tunnel syndrome has been established in the present study that adopts a CT imaging evaluation index. The new classification is reasonable, simple and practical, and therapies based on this classification are more targeted than those based on previous classifications.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Clinical classification and treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome

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Abstract

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