Primary elbow osteoarthritis presenting as ulnar nerve palsy with claw hand

Abstract

A 59-year-old woman was referred with weakness, paraesthesia, numbness and clawing of the little and ring fingers for the last 2 years. MRI of the cervical spine was normal and nerve conduction velocity revealed abnormality of the ulnar nerve. Ultrasound and MRI showed medial osteophytes and effusion of the elbow joint with stretched and thinned ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel. The patient underwent release and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve with significant relief of symptoms.

Keywords: musculoskeletal and joint disorders; peripheral nerve disease; plastic and reconstructive surgery.