Results After Anterior Transposition of the Ulnar Nerve for Tardy Ulnar Palsy

The most common factors predisposing to the compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow are fractures, arthrosis, abnormal strain of the elbow joint and recurrent dislocation or subluxation of the ulnar nerve from its groove of the humeral epicondyle (5, 7, 8). These disorders may result in a dysfunction termed “tardy ulnar palsy”. Fifty-one patients were treated for tardy ulnar palsy by anterior transposition at the Medical School of Hannover from 1971 to 1978. Thirty-one patients were followed from 4 months to 7 years. Particular attention was devoted to the age, sex, duration of symptoms, preoperative deficits, surgical findings, etiology, and EMG-findings. We classified our patients into a group of complete recovery, good improvement (= relief of pain, distinct improvement of motor and sensory function) and another group of no changes except relief of pain. There were no operative complications, no deteriorations.