Clinical Trial: Sonographic Examination Cubital Tunnel Release

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Sonographic Follow-up of Patients With Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) Undergoing Open Neurolysis in Situ or Endoscopic Release: A Prospective Study

Brief Summary: The investigators want to compare changes in cross-sectional area (CSA) of the ulnar nerve at the elbow after open release or endoscopic release.

Detailed Summary:

The investigators want to compare changes in CSA of the ulnar nerve at the elbow hypothesizing that US examination is a useful tool to detect unsuccessful release and defining which technique shows the best outcome in the first year postoperatively.

The measurement of cross-sectional area (CSA) as a diagnostic tool to detect entrapments syndrome in upper limbs has already been described. US typically demonstrates an abrupt narrowing and displacement of the nerve within the tunnel, possibly in association with a thickened retinaculum or a space-occupying lesions. Previous studies prospectively compared sonographic outcomes after decompression of the median nerve at the wrist.


Sponsor: Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona

Current Primary Outcome: American Shoulder and Elbow Society Function Score [ Time Frame: 12 months postoperatively. ]

Patients undergoing surgical decompression indicate their postoperative clinical outcome with this scale


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Jamar dynamometer (grip strength) [ Time Frame: 12 months postoperatively. ]
    Quantitative measurement of grip strength were assessed with a Jamar dynamometer. The Jamar Dynamometer is an instrument for measuring the maximum isometric strength of the hand and forearm muscles. The Jamar dynamometer was introduced in 1954 (Bechtol,1954). It consists of a sealed hydraulic system with adjustable hand spacings that measures handgrip force
  • Static-2 point discrimination test [ Time Frame: 12 months postoperatively. ]

    Two-point discrimination is the ability to discern that two nearby objects touching the skin are truly two distinct points.

    Two-point discrimination has long been used as an assessment tool for tactile gnosis, and to assess recovery after a peripheral nerve surgery.

  • 4-point Likert-type scale [ Time Frame: 12 months postoperatively. ]
    Patients undergoing surgical decompression indicate their postoperative clinical outcome on a questionnaire using 4-point Likert-type scale (1= large improvement, 2 = moderate improvement, 3= no improvement, 4= worse than preoperatively)


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona

Dates:
Date Received: April 10, 2016
Date Started: May 2011
Date Completion:
Last Updated: April 14, 2016
Last Verified: April 2016