Force loss and distribution of load in the hands of patients with cubital tunnel syndrome.

Manugraphy with three different cylinder sizes was used to quantify the contribution of fingers, thumb and palm to grip force in patients with unilateral cubital tunnel syndrome. Forces in the affected and contralateral hands differed by up to 29%. Although grip force is usually maximal when gripping small handles, ulnar nerve palsy resulted in similar absolute grip forces using the 100-mm and 200-mm cylinders.