Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a condition where one of the main nerves in your arm becomes inflamed. The nerve, called the ulnar nerve, passes through a small opening near the inside of your elbow. If this opening becomes too narrow, it can tighten and trap the nerve. This usually occurs slowly over time. As the pressure worsens, you might notice pain traveling down your arm to your fingers, a “pins and needles sensation” in your fingers, or weak grip. Similar symptoms can also occur if the ulnar nerve is stretched too far or if it is too loose and moving more than normal.
The most common symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome are:
In many cases, the exact cause of cubital tunnel syndrome is not known. There are some known risk factors including:
In addition to a complete history and physical examination, your doctor may request one or more of the following tests:
If cubital tunnel syndrome is left untreated, it can cause permanent nerve damage in the hand.
Your healthcare provider will talk to you about the best option for you. To start, they may advise:
If these options are not helpful, your doctor may then advise:
If your symptoms are severe or the above options do not help, you doctor may recommend a surgery called cubital tunnel release. This is where the surgeon cuts any tight structures around the nerve to relieve the pressure and widen the tunnel. If this alone does not provide enough room for the nerve, the surgeon may then do a medial epicondylectomy. This removes a part of the bone on the inside of your elbow to further widen the tunnel. If your nerve still does not move properly, the surgeon may then decide to perform an ulnar nerve transposition. This creates an entirely new tunnel for your nerve.
You can prevent cubital tunnel syndrome by warming up your arm muscles before exercise or strenuous work, stretching afterward, and not overdoing physical activity. You should also not lean onto your elbows for long periods of time.