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Position of the elbow in determination of abnormal motor conduction of the ulnar nerve across the elbow
Author(s) -
Bielawski Martin,
Hallett Mark
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.880121004
Subject(s) - elbow , ulnar nerve , ulnar neuropathy , anatomy , medicine , elbow flexion , nerve conduction velocity , abnormality , position (finance) , orthodontics , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychiatry , finance , economics
Routine evaluation of patients for suspected ulnar neuropathy includes testing of motor conduction velocity across the elbow, although the best position of the elbow for this test is controversial. The preferred testing position—elbow flexion or extension—was studied by determining the yield of abnormality at both positions in patients selected for possible ulnar nerve abnormalities unrelated to motor conduction. We found no major differences between the flexed or extended position of the elbow except that normal values for each of these positions varied. The yield of abnormal findings was greatest from measuring absolute motor conduction velocity across the elbow as opposed to comparing the difference in velocities between the elbow and either adjacent segment.