Ulnar nerve conduction studies at the elbow in the taxi̇ dri̇vers

In this study the presence of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow has been researched in a group of taxi-drivers. 40 volunteers who were taxi-drivers and 40 volunteers consisting of healty individuals whose occupation groups were not susceptible to cause ulnar entrapment individuals whose occupation groups were not susceptible to cause ulnar entrapment neuropathy has been included in this study. Demographic characteristic of the taxi drivers and the control group who participated in this study has been recorded. Active working periods of the taxi-drivers, the habit of leaning their elbows against the lower edge of the window while driving and the presence of any symptoms has been questioned. Electrophysiological studies including median and ulnar nerve motor and sensory conduction studies and radial nerve sensory studies were performed in both upper extremities of 40 taxi-drivers and control group. Electrophysiological studies revealed that motor and sensory conduction velocity of the left ulnar nervein the below-the-elbow to above-the-elbow segment was significantly decreased compared to the right ulnar nerve in taxi-drivers (p<0.001). And similarly motor and sensory conduction velocity over both left and right ulnar nerve below-the-elbow to above-the-elbow segment were significantly decreased and F-wave latency of ulnar nerve was significantly prolonged in the taxi-drivers compared to the control group (p<0.025). Ulnar nerve conduction parameters and F-wave latencies on the left and right sides were statistically similar in the taxi-drivers who didn't have the habit to lean their elbow. However, it was shown that motor and sensory conduction velocities over the left side of ulnar nerve below-the-elbow to above-the-elbow segment was slower (p<0.001) and F-wavw latency was longer (p<0.001)cin taxi-drivers who lean their elbows compared to the taxi-drivers who do not. It was observed that motor and sensory conduction velocities of the left ulnar nerve in below-the-elbow to above-the-elbow segment were more significantly decreased in the taxi-drivers who had longer years of working and longer working times per week, at the same time, it was shown that was a statistically significant inverse correlation in motor conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve over below-the-elbow to above-the-elbow segment between the differences of sides and years of working. In conclusion, it was shown that extended elbow flexion and the habit of leaning the elbow causes a direct compression on the ulnar nerve resulting in an electrophysiologically much more distinctive ulnar nerve neuropathy at the elbow and its effects has been shown marketly on the left side. Results have revealed that in addition to long-term elbow flexion of both sides while driwing: the repetitous movements during shifting the gear might also be the cause of the ulnar nerve loss.