Tendon Transfer for Correction of Pinch in Chronic Ulnar Nerve Injury

February 24, 2026 updated by: Mostafa Elsayed Mohamed, Sohag University

Evaluation of Combined ECRB and APL Tendon Transfer for Pinch Restoration in Chronic Ulnar Nerve Injury

This prospective study evaluates the outcomes of combined ECRB and APL tendon transfer for restoring pinch function in patients with chronic ulnar nerve injury. Patients will be followed postoperatively to assess improvement in hand function, strength, and daily activity performance. Participation is voluntary and all standard care procedures will be maintained

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The study is a prospective, single-center interventional trial including adult patients diagnosed with chronic ulnar nerve injury affecting pinch function. Eligible participants will undergo combined ECRB (Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis) tendon transfer to adductor pollicis tendon and APL (Abductor Pollicis Longus) tendon transfer to 1st dorsal interosseous tendon that performed by experienced surgeons. Preoperative evaluation includes baseline hand function, pinch strength, and disability assessment. Postoperative follow-up will occur at 4, 6, 12, and 24 weeks to measure functional improvement using standardized hand assessment tools. Adverse events will be monitored and recorded. Inclusion criteria: adults ≥18 years, chronic ulnar nerve injury >6 months, and consent to participate. Exclusion criteria: prior tendon transfer, coexisting neuromuscular disorder, or inability to provide consent. Data will be anonymized to maintain confidentiality, and all ethical approvals will be in place.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

17

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Egypt
      • Sohag, Egypt
        • SohagUniversity

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with chronic ulnar nerve injury (more than 1 year duration).
  • Age between 18 and 60 years.
  • Patients with stable joints and good passive range of motion of the hand and fingers.
  • Absence of active infection or severe contracture.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • • Patients with combined median or radial nerve injury.

    • Patients with severe soft-tissue loss or fixed deformities precluding tendon transfer.
    • Uncooperative patients or those with systemic diseases affecting muscle power or healing (e.g., diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease).

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: ECRB and APL Tendon Transfer
ECRB transfer transfer to adductor pollicis and APL tendon transfer to 1st dorsal interosseous muscle for pinch restoration in chronic ulnar nerve injury
Procedure: Combined ECRB and APL Tendon Transfer
This surgical procedure involves transferring the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis (ECRB) and Abductor Pollicis Longus (APL) tendons to restore pinch function in patients with chronic ulnar nerve injury. Standard postoperative physiotherapy will follow, with assessments at 4, 6, and 12 weeks to monitor pinch strength, thumb mobility, and any complications

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Mean Grip Strength of the Operated Hand Measured Using a Hand Dynamometer (kg)
Time Frame: 6 months postoperatively
Grip strength of the operated hand will be assessed using a calibrated hand dynamometer. Three consecutive measurements will be obtained during the same session, and the average value will be calculated and reported in kilograms.
6 months postoperatively

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
DASH Score (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire)
Time Frame: 3 months postoperatively
Functional outcome will be assessed using the DASH questionnaire. The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disability. The overall total score will be reported.
3 months postoperatively

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sohag University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Mostafa Elsayed, Sohag University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

November 18, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 20, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 20, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 19, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 24, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

February 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 27, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 24, 2026

Last Verified

February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Soh_Med_26_2_5MS

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be made publicly available.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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