ANTERIOR SUBCUTANEOUS TRANSFER OF THE ULNAR NERVE IN THE ATHLETE

To evaluate the effectiveness of subcutaneous subfascial anterior tran sfer of the ulnar nerve in the surgical treatment of cubital tunnel sy ndrome in athletes, we retrospectively reviewed athletes undergoing su bcutaneous anterior transfer of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Criteria for inclusion in the study included active participation in athletic activity, confirmed cubital tunnel syndrome, failure to respond to con servative treatment, and having an anterior subcutaneous subfascial tr ansfer as the only procedure performed. Twenty athletes underwent a to tal of 21 procedures. Results were evaluated by time to return to spor t and a questionnaire developed to evaluate elbow function in the athl ete. The athletes returned to full activity at an average of 12.6 week s. Average subjective postoperative scores were 84. Elbow rating score s averaged 9 (range, 0 to 10). Anterior subcutaneous subfascial transf er of the ulnar nerve is a safe, effective means for treating cubital tunnel syndrome in athletes. The findings in this study are significan t in that they confirm the effectiveness of the subcutaneous subfascia l transfer procedure in returning the athlete to competition. Of secon dary importance is the development of an elbow rating questionnaire ap propriate to the athlete.