Treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome with short-incision and simple decompression of cubital tunnel

Objective To determine the surgical indications for treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome with short cut and simple decompression. Methods Nine male patients were involved. There was no fracture or deformity of the elbow joint in all patients with average disease course of 2.5 months. An incision of 2 3cm in length at the ulcus of the ulnar nerve was made to expose and divide the cubital tunnel and the distal arcuate ligament. Intrathecal injection of HCA (1 ml) was performed after cubital tunnel release.Results Numbness in all cases disappeared within 1 month. The stabbing sensation recovered to normal after half a year. Mild atrophy of interosseous and lumbrical muscles in 2 patients turned normal in one and a half year. Conclusions Short incision and simple decompression is suitable for mild cubital tunnel syndrome with no fracture or deformity of the elbow joint, noclaw handdeformity, no obvious muscle atrophy and in cases with short disease courses.