Ulnar nerve injury

Abstract

The ulnar nerve in children is not commonly injured. The most common causes of trauma to the ulnar nerve in children involve fractures around the elbow and their treatment, namely, supracondylar humerus and medial epicondylar fractures. Knowledge of the ulnar nerve anatomy and issues that can arise during treatment of these fractures can lessen the chance of iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury. The ulnar nerve can also be subject to compression syndromes in children, primarily at the elbow and less commonly at the wrist. Most often, the cause of nerve compression is not known, but it can be due to fracture malunion or a space-occupying lesion. Direct trauma to the ulnar nerve can be watched if the nerve is in continuity, or repaired or grafted if the nerve has been severed or ruptured. Innovative surgeries including nerve transfers have been developed, but results have only been reported in adults. Fortunately, ulnar nerve recovery in children tends to have good results, likely due to the greater potential for nerve regeneration in the pediatric population.