Carrying angle and medial epicondyle inclination angle as predictive factors for cubital tunnel syndrome Trag- und Neigungswinkel des Epicondylus medialis als prädiktive Faktoren für das Kubitaltunnelsyndrom
Obere Extremitat, cilt.21, sa.3, ss.178-184, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 21 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11678-025-00892-1
- Dergi Adı: Obere Extremitat
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.178-184
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Bone morphology, Elbow, Neuropathy, Radiography, Ulnar nerve
- Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate elbow bone morphology based on angle measurements from plain radiography to identify patients with predisposing factors for cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) who should be referred for electromyography (EMG) to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Methods: Patients who presented to our shoulder and elbow surgery clinic between January 2021 and December 2023 were evaluated retrospectively. A total of 280 patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups: the CuTS group (n = 140) and the control group (n = 140). Demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded. Carrying angle, articular surface angle, groove for ulnar nerve inclination angle (A angle), medial epicondyle inclination angle (B angle), and trochlear notch angle were measured on anteroposterior elbow radiographs. Humeral condylar angle and olecranon–coronoid angle were measured on lateral elbow radiographs taken at 90° of flexion. Results: Significant differences were found between the groups for carrying angle (CuTS: 16.19 ± 3.64° vs. control: 12.91 ± 2.67°), B angle (CuTS: 113.10 ± 5.94° vs. control: 105.73 ± 5.41°), trochlear notch angle (CuTS: 132.43 ± 6.43° vs. control: 130.68 ± 5.98°), and humeral condylar angle (CuTS: 51.04 ± 4.56° vs. control: 53.13 ± 4.36°; p = 0.000, p = 0.001, p = 0.019, and p = 0.000, respectively). Carrying angle and B angle were found to have high discriminatory power between the groups. Conclusion: Although EMG is the most important diagnostic tool for CuTS, it is not easily accessible and requires experience. Carrying angle and B angle measurements obtained from anteroposterior elbow radiographs are important for the diagnosis of CuTS. Elevated carrying angle and B angle values are predictive of CuTS.