Compression neuritis of the ulnar nerve treated with simple decompression.

The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis submitted by Osborne (1957), which proposed that the symptoms of compression ulnar neuritis, in most cases, result from compression on the ulnar nerve at the proximal border of the aponeurosis of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. Thirty-two simple decompression operations were performed on 31 patients, diagnosed as suffering from compression neuritis of the ulnar nerve. They were subsequently examined over a period of 5 years. Relief from symptoms was achieved in 28 cases, whilst four patients derived no improvement from the operation. Three of the four unsuccessful cases were judged to have been incorrectly diagnosed and were not suffering from compression of the ulnar nerve in the elbow. A second operation was required in two patients, in one a second decompression and in the other anteposition. No surgical or post-surgical complications occurred.