Follow-up Study of Surgical Treatment for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Thirty three patients with cubital tunnel syndrome were evaluated pre and post operatively. They were followed up for an average period of 85 months, andthe mean age at surgery was 51 years (range: 6-75 years). The causes of disease were osteoarthritis in 17, cubitus valgus in 9, ganglion in 2, and other causes in 5. Pre and post operative status was evaluated according to our criteria which included MCV of ulnar nerve, hypesthesia of 4th and 5th fingers, muscle atrophy of first dorsal interossei muscle, muscle strength of abductor digiti minimi and deformity of fingers with a total score of 16 points indicating absenceof palsy.The average score was 9.7±2.9 before surgery and 12.7±2.9 at follow-up. The average preoperative MCV was 26.3±17.2m/s which improved to 34.7±16.6m/s at follow-up. There were significant relationships between before and aftersurgery in both resulfs. Age at surgery, the duration from onset to operationand preoperative status influenced the operative result. The duration of follow-up did not have and effect on the final outcome.