Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

A Case of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Due To Repetitive Work: Jung Il Kim, Young Il Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(2):156-162. Published online June 30, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.2.156

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVE: To report one case of cubital tunnel syndrome due to repetitive work METHOD: The authors examined a worker who complained of severe muscle atrophy between the right thumb and index finger, claw deformity and numbness of the 5th finger. We evaluated him with physical examination, neurophysiologic studies (nerve conduction study, NCV; electromygraphy, EMG), plain Xray and magnetic resonance image(MRI) at the right elbow. We also investigated his occupational history, and analyzed his work motions, using rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) of the work cycle at his previous work site.
RESULT
The patient had been a ship welder for 17 years, followed by 6 years of dismantling boxes and loading/unloading materials. The latter job required inappropriate elbow posture such as repetitive flexion and extension. The NCV study revealed slow conduction velocity of the right ulnar motor and sensory nerve, decreased action potential of the right hand intrinsic muscles and flexor carpi ulnaris. The simple X-ray film showed normal finding, but MRI showed a finding compatible with cubital tunnel syndrome combined with enlargement of the right ulnar nerve at right elbow, 0.6cm intraarticular loose body and medial aspect of the medial epicondyle of the right distal humerus.
CONCLUSION
We confirmed the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome that was related to his packing job which had demanded repetitive flexion and extension of elbow joint. At the time of writing, surgery was being considered as appropriate treatment.

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Case Report

A Case of Work-Related Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Due To Repetitive Motions: Jung Won Kim, Insun Park, Youngjoon Lee, Yu Chang Kim, Pilja Kim, Dongmug Kang, Chae Un Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2000;12(2):310-318. Published online June 30, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2000.12.2.310

Abstract PDF: OBJECTIVES
To report cubital tunnel syndrome due to repetitive motions.
METHODS
A worker complaining muscle weakness and atrophy of the right hand intrinsic muscles admitted to a hospital. We evaluated him with blood tests, neurophysiologic studies (NCV & EMG), plain X-ray and US at the both elbows. We investigated his occupational history, and videotaped his work motions based on the work cycle at his previous work site. Finally, an ergonomics expert analyzed the motions using rapid upper limb assessment (RULA).
RESULTS
NCV & EMG studies reveals slow conduction velocity on both ulnar nerve across the elbow, more severely in the right side. US shows us compatible finding with diffuse neuritis of both ulnar nerves at both elbows. RULA score is 7.
CONCLUSION
We confirmed that the workers symptoms were related to his previous jobs demanding repetitive motions using the elbow joints. It is necessary that we should prepare appropriate measures to evaluate, prevent, rehabilitate, and help injured workers to return to work.

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