A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MEDIAL EPICONDYLECTOMY VERSUS ANTERIOR TRANSPOSITION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ULNAR NEUROPATHY, AT ELBOW IN HANSEN’S DISEASE

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to know the better results after medial epicondylectomy with regards to sensory recovery and patient satisfaction.

Methods: We operated on a total of 36 patients of Hansen’s disease suffering from ulnar nerve neuritis at the elbow from 1999 to 2003. They were alternately operated either by epicondylectomy or anterior transposition by the same unit. All these patients had either completed MDT or were on MDT for a minimum of 2 months before surgery.

Results: The mean age of the patient was 28.6 years (range 15–45 years). The average follow-up was 3.2 years (range 1–5 years). The male-to-female ratio was 7: 4. The patients who were operated on within 4 months of the onset of symptoms showed a satisfaction rate of 70% as compared to 50% in patients who were operated on after 4 months of the onset of symptoms.

Conclusion: Our study showed better results after medial epicondylectomy with regard to sensory recovery and patient satisfaction. There was no statistically significant difference in motor power recovery and post-operative pain, among both procedures none of the procedures had any significant effect on elbow function or stability.