Posttraumatic immobilization in flexion of a congenital valgus elbow and cubital tunnel syndrome-case report.

BACKGROUND

Elbow trauma, cubitus valgus deformity, and prolonged flexion of the elbow are recognized risk factors for ulnar nerve entrapment.

CASE DESCRIPTION: The 3 conditions coincided in the present case. In fact, a 36-year-old woman had a bilateral severe congenital cubitus valgus. A trauma of the right elbow caused luxation and supracondylar humeral fracture for which the joint was fixed in flexion at 90 degrees for 1 month. The patient developed a severe ulnar nerve entrapment syndrome that did not respond to several months of physiotherapy and active mobilization of the elbow. The symptoms recovered after surgical decompression and anterior subcutaneous transposition of the nerve.

CONCLUSIONS

The present case illustrates how the development of a cubital tunnel syndrome should be considered as the expected outcome of a long immobilization in flexion of an elbow with a severe cubitus valgus. A simple subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve might be recommended before a long immobilization of a cubitus valgus elbow is performed.