Hypertrophic ancenous epitrochlearis muscle as a cause of ulnar neuropathy at elbow.

We report herein a 35-year-old man who suffered from pain at his left elbow and numbness in his left hand. Electromyographic studies demonstrated a localized nerve conduction block in the left elbow region. Ultrasonographic evaluation revealed enlargement of the ulnar nerve at the level of the medial epicondyle as well as bilateral anconeus epitrochlearis muscles, one of which was hypertrophic, causing the ulnar neuropathy at the symptomatic site. We emphasize with this case report the complementary role of ultrasound in peripheral nerve pathologies, as it confirmed the entrapment and determined the underlying cause.

Position sense of the hemiparetic and non-hemiparetic ankle after stroke: is the non-hemiparetic ankle also affected?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Researchers have shown an increased interest in proprioception deficits of the paretic side in hemiplegic patients. However, far too little attention has been paid to the proprioception sense of the non-hemiparetic side. The objective of this research was to determine whether the position sense of the ankles, especially of the non-paretic side, is affected in stroke patients. METHODS: 20 inpatients with stroke and 10 healthy control subjects were evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer. Proprioceptive error scores (in degrees) for passive reproduction of joint position tests (PRJPTs) were measured. RESULTS: Error values of PRJPT for 5° plantarflexion, 10° plantarflexion, and 15° dorsiflexion were significantly higher in patients on both the paretic and non-paretic side compared with the control group dominant side. CONCLUSION: The impaired results of PRJPT in both the paretic and non-paretic ankles of stroke patients are surprising when one expects that the non-paretic side would be preserved under the control of the healthy hemisphere.