Ulnar nerve lesions: functional outcome after five years

Objective: To analyse perceived impairments, disability, job restrictions a nd job changes in subjects with a neurapraxia and neurotmesis of the ulnar nerve five years after trauma. Design: Retrospective, descriptive follow-up study. Setting: Department of Rehabilitation of a University Hospital. Subjects: Sixteen subjects with a neurotmesis (NT-group) and 20 subjects wi th a neurapraxia (NP-group) were compared by means of a structured intervie w assessing perceived impairments and change in job and a questionnaire ass essing disabilities (Groningen Activity Restriction Scale: GARS). Results: The NP-group perceived significantly more pain, loss of strength a nd sensation, loss of dexterity and perceived more job-related restrictions than the NT-group. The NP-group had significantly higher scores on the GAR S. There was a moderate correlation between the visual analogue score of th e pain and the GARS in the NP- and NT-groups. No significant difference was found between the groups with respect to job changes. Conclusions: This study shows that subjects with a neurapraxia of the ulnar nerve perceive more impairments and disabilities compared with those subje cts with a neuro tmesis.