Abstract
A fit and well 33-year-old male mechanic was referred to the clinic complaining of
locking of right elbow and paraesthesia and pain affecting the forearm and hand. Radiographs
demonstrated a right-sided supracondylar process. The patient had locking of his right
elbow, which caused shooting pains both distally and proximally. The ulnar nerve was
irritable proximal to the cubital tunnel, and there was some weakness of the ulnar
nerve supplied muscles of the hand and forearm. The patient had a subjective feeling
of altered sensation over the medial one and a half digits. The magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) suggested that there was anomalous anatomy around the elbow and that
compression of the ulnar and or the median nerve by a fibrous band appeared to be
the cause of his symptoms. A surgical exploration was arranged. The incision was posterior
to the medial epicondyle. A fascial/muscular band was identified from the tip of the
supratrochlear spur to the olecranon and was seen to kink the ulnar nerve. This was
corrected upon its release. The supratrochlear spur was excised with an osteotome,
and bone wax applied to the humerus. On review 6 weeks postoperatively, his function
had returned to normal.
Keywords
supracondylar process - ulnar nerve - ligament of Struthers
