Clinical evaluation of ulnar nerve repair at wrist level

In this study, the results of ulnar nerve repair were analyzed. The relation between the functional outcome scores and clinical findings were investigated to find out whether any clinical finding could be predictive of the outcome.

Seventeen patients who underwent ulnar nerve repair formed the study group. Average follow-up lasted 45.5 months (range 39–48 months), and average age of the study group was 31.7 years (range 26–42 years). The same operative technique was applied to all patients by one of the authors (HG). Follow-up checks were done at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The patients who did not attend the last follow-up were excluded from the study group. The Seddon classification was used as the functional scoring system. Wound healing, Tinel sign, interosseous atrophy, atrophy of the first web space, clawing, and protective sensation were the clinical findings examined at the follow-ups. Wound healing was classified as either normal scar formation or hypertrophic scar-keloid (HsC) formation.

Good results in 4 and fair results in 13 were obtained according to the Seddon classification. Statistically, there was no difference between the clinical findings at the 3, 6, and 12 month follow-ups.

Presence of HsC and clawing can be regarded as a predictive sign for fair results in nerve repairs.