Cochrane ulnar neuropathy at elbowThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews 2016
Treatment for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.
Simple decompression and transposition gave similar clinical improvement, with more wound complications after transposition; evidence comparing endoscopic with open release and for conservative measures was of low quality, although advice on avoiding prolonged elbow flexion and pressure may help mild cases.
Systematic review / meta-analysisManagementPeripheral nerve
Zlowodzki cubital tunnel meta-analysisThe Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume 2007
Anterior transposition compared with simple decompression for treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.
There was no significant difference in clinical scores or nerve conduction between transposition and simple decompression.
Systematic review / meta-analysisManagementPeripheral nerve
Shao radial nerve palsy reviewThe Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume 2005
Radial nerve palsy associated with fractures of the shaft of the humerus: a systematic review
Radial nerve palsy complicated about 12% of humeral shaft fractures, most often middle and middle-distal transverse or spiral fractures; most recovered spontaneously with conservative care, and final outcomes were similar whether nerves were explored early or managed expectantly.
Systematic review / meta-analysisManagementPeripheral nerve
Ruijs median/ulnar repair meta-analysisPlastic and reconstructive surgery 2005
Median and ulnar nerve injuries: a meta-analysis of predictors of motor and sensory recovery after modern microsurgical nerve repair
Older age, ulnar (rather than median) nerve injury, more proximal injury and longer delay to repair were associated with worse motor recovery; age and delay also predicted sensory recovery.
Systematic review / meta-analysisPrognosisPeripheral nerve
Bartels cubital tunnel RCTNeurosurgery 2005
Prospective randomized controlled study comparing simple decompression versus anterior subcutaneous transposition for idiopathic neuropathy of the ulnar nerve at the elbow: Part 1.
Clinical outcomes did not differ significantly between the two operations, but complications were significantly more frequent after transposition.
Randomised trialManagementPeripheral nerve
Weber PGA conduit RCTPlastic and reconstructive surgery 2000
A randomized prospective study of polyglycolic acid conduits for digital nerve reconstruction in humans
Overall sensory recovery was similar between groups; conduits gave better two-point discrimination than end-to-end repair for small gaps and outperformed autograft for gaps of 8 mm or more.
Randomised trialManagementPeripheral nerve
Robinson electrodiagnosis reviewMuscle & nerve 2000
Traumatic injury to peripheral nerves
Electrodiagnosis helps localise the lesion and quantify axon loss, but distal conduction persists for a period after transection, so studies are most informative once Wallerian degeneration has occurred; EMG evidence of reinnervation precedes clinical recovery.
OtherDiagnosisPeripheral nerve
Waters brachial plexus birth palsyThe Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume 1999
Comparison of the natural history, the outcome of microsurgical repair, and the outcome of operative reconstruction in brachial plexus birth palsy
Infants whose biceps recovered within the first three months achieved normal function, whereas recovery in the fourth to sixth months was followed by significantly worse Mallet scores; this supported microsurgical repair for infants with no biceps recovery by six months.
Cohort studyPrognosisPeripheral nerve
Oberlin transferThe Journal of hand surgery 1994
Nerve transfer to biceps muscle using a part of ulnar nerve for C5-C6 avulsion of the brachial plexus: anatomical study and report of four cases
Useful elbow flexion was restored in the reported cases without significant loss of ulnar nerve function in the hand.
OtherManagementPeripheral nerve
Sunderland classificationBrain : a journal of neurology 1951
A classification of peripheral nerve injuries producing loss of function
First degree equates to neurapraxia and fifth degree to complete transection; second to fourth degrees subdivide axonotmesis by progressive loss of endoneurial and perineurial continuity, with prognosis worsening as more layers are lost and fourth/fifth degree injuries generally needing surgery.
OtherDiagnosisPeripheral nerve