Regimen and results of physiotherapy in patients following surgical treatment of ulnar nerve injury.

BACKGROUND: Ulnar nerve injuries are the most common cause of damage to the nerves of the hand. Diverse mechanisms of injury may be involved, the most frequent being injuries to various areas within the forearm, usually lacerations. In such cases, surgery followed by physiotherapy is a treatment of choice. The aim of the study was to estimate the efficacy of physical therapy following surgical treatment of ulnar nerve injuries.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study group initially comprised 33 patients. Twelve patients with additional damage to the median nerve were excluded and further analyses concerned a group of 21 patients with ulnar nerve injuries who underwent physiotherapy at the Małopolska Regional Hand Rehabilitation Centre in Cracow. Treatment outcomes were evaluated on the basis of measurements of hand function including the range of motion, function tests as well as sensation and dynamometric tests.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Range of motion data were used to assess movement impairment according to Swanson's method. The measurements were taken on two occasions before and after the physiotherapy. Analysis of the results revealed significant efficacy of the physiotherapy regimen.