Journal List > J Rheum Dis > v.19(6) > 1064004

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Cho, Kim, Bae, Chae, and Kim: Attritional Rupture of Ulnar Nerve in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Case Report
Journal of Rheumatic Diseases

Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 2012; 19(6): 348-350.

Published online: 31 December 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2012.19.6.348

Attritional Rupture of Ulnar Nerve in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Chul-Hyun Cho1, Beom-Soo Kim1, Ki-Cheor Bae1, Jin-Nyeong Chae2, Sang-Hyon Kim2

1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea.

2Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea.

Corresponding to: Chul-Hyun Cho, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, 56, Dalseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-712, Korea. oscho5362@dsmc.or.kr

Received 30 November 2011       Revised 11 January 2012       Accepted 11 January 2012

Copyright © 2012 by The Korean College of Rheumatology

(free-access):

This is a Free Access article, which permits unrestricted non-commerical use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Ulnar neuropathy around the elbow in patients with rheumatoid arthritis can occur by synovial invasion, flexion contracture or valgus deformity of the elbow. However, attritional rupture of the ulnar nerve by medial osteophyte with synovial invasion of the rheumatoid elbow is extremely rare. We reported a case of attritional rupture of the ulnar nerve by medial osteophyte in 62 years-old male with rheumatoid arthritis. Exact diagnosis and proper treatment are required if symptoms of ulnar neuropathy present in rheumatoid arthritis with contracture and valgus deformity of the elbow.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Ulnar nerve, Synovial invasion, Attritional rupture

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Clinical photograph shows atrophy of adductor pollicis and dorsal interossei muscles with claw hand deformity in 62 year-old male with rheumatoid arthritis.
jrd-19-348-g001
Figure 2
Plain radiographs show severe arthritic changes with medial osteophyte of trochlea (white arrow) and valgus deformity.
jrd-19-348-g002
Figure 3
Intraoperative findings show attritional rupture (white arrow) of ulnar nerve by medial osteophyte (black arrow) (A, B). Ulnar nerve is transposed anteriorly and repaired by an end-to-end technique (C, D).
jrd-19-348-g003

References

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