Frequency of some signs of challenge to the ulnar nerve at the elbow in a healthy population

Enrique Vergara-Amador; Ricardo Vega Caicedo; Oscar A Guevara Cruz

2015, Number 2

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Revista Cubana de Ortopedia y Traumatología 2015; 29 (2)

Frequency of some signs of challenge to the ulnar nerve at the elbow in a healthy population

Vergara-Amador E, Vega CR, Guevara COA

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Language: Spanish
References: 16
Page: 132-142
PDF size: 310.21 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: cubital tunnel syndrome in the elbow is often sub-diagnosed and confused with medial epicondylitis. Variability has often provocative tests.
Objective: determine frequency of signs of cubital tunnel syndrome in the elbow in a healthy asymptomatic population.
Methods: 380 elbows in a voluntary population were tested by Tinel tests, elbow flexion, internal rotation and elbow flexion, the scratch test-collapse and elbow flexion against gravity; the proportion of positive signs on total elbows examined was determined.
Results: in total, 66 persons (34.7%) had at least one positive test on one or both elbows. 45.4% women and 20.7% men had at least one positive test (p = 0.001). The elbow flexion test with pressure stimulus had the highest rate (13.4%), then Tinel test (8.9%). The test of elbow flexion against gravity (4.2 %) and the scratchcollapse (3.4%) had low test frequencies.
Conclusions: 34.7% of subjects had at least one positive test on one or both elbows. This high number would suggest high rate of false positives in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome. In women, they were positive twice as men, suggesting that some anatomical, hormonal and other unknown factors could influence. The test of elbow flexion against gravity takes into account the gravity flow against the arterial circulation of the ulnar nerve, which added to the elbow flexion reproduce faster symptoms in a patient with cubital tunnel syndrome. In the healthy population low frequency (4.2%) was found, which is suggested as a new sign to support the clinical diagnosis. However it requires further studies in patients with this condition to determine sensitivity and specificity.

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