Is medial elbow pain correlated with cubital tunnel syndrome? An electrodiagnostic study.

<bold>Introduction: </bold>Medial elbow pain is often considered to be a symptom associated with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). We examined the relationship between medial elbow pain and a positive electrodiagnostic (EDx) test result for UNE.<bold>Methods: </bold>We performed a retrospective review of 884 patients referred for EDx evaluation of UNE. Regression models were used to determine the odds ratios between clinical findings and a positive EDx result for UNE.<bold>Results: </bold>Patients reported medial elbow pain in 44.3% of cases. Clinical factors that correlated with a positive EDx study result for UNE included male gender, small and ring finger numbness, ulnar intrinsic weakness, and age. Medial elbow pain was negatively correlated with a positive EDx result.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>This study demonstrates a negative correlation between medial elbow pain and a positive EDx result for UNE. Medial elbow pain should not be considered a clear diagnostic symptom of UNE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]