Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

The most common causes of cubital tunnel syndrome include:

Compression: Placing direct pressure on the elbow, such as that experienced when leaning on an armrest, for long periods can compress the ulnar nerve.
Stretching: Holding the elbow bent for long durations, such as when sleeping or talking on a phone, can stretch the nerve and contribute to cubital tunnel syndrome.
Anatomical Variations: Bone spurs, ganglion cysts, or even an extra muscle can put pressure on the ulnar nerve.
Trauma: A direct blow to the elbow, a fracture, or bleeding into the cubital tunnel can lead to ulnar nerve compression.
Medical Conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid disease can increase the risk of cubital tunnel syndrome.

Regardless of the cause, cubital tunnel syndrome should be diagnosed by an elbow specialist. They will do this by assessing symptoms, checking your medical history, and performing specific tests, including:

Tinel's Sign: Tapping over the ulnar nerve at the elbow to elicit tingling or a shock-like sensation in the ring and little fingers.
Elbow Flexion Test: Holding the elbow in a fully flexed position for a period of time to see if symptoms are reproduced.
Froment's Test: Assessing the strength of the pinch grip between the thumb and index finger.
Wartenberg's Sign: Observing the ability to bring the little finger back to meet the other fingers when spreading them apart.

Using these tests, one of our elbow specialists can reliably diagnose you with cubital tunnel syndrome.

Those suffering from cubital tunnel syndrome experience a wide range of symptoms. Some of the most common include:

Numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers.
Pain on the inner side of the elbow or in the fingers.
Weakness of the hand and forearm, making it difficult to grip, write, or perform fine motor tasks.
Due to weakness and numbness, individuals may drop objects frequently.
Burning or shooting pain when bending or stretching the elbow.
Numbness and pain is most pronounced in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
In the most severe cases, muscles in the hand and forearm may atrophy.

These symptoms may come and go. If you experience any of them, you should consult with an elbow specialist as soon as possible.

Treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome can be surgical or nonsurgical, depending on the severity of the condition. Nonsurgical treatments include:

Rest: Avoiding activities that aggravate the condition, particularly those involving repetitive elbow bending, may help decompress the nerve.
Elbow Splinting: Wearing an elbow splint can help limit elbow movement and reduce pressure on the nerve, promoting healing.
Anti-inflammatory Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Physical Therapy: Exercises to improve nerve mobility and strengthen surrounding muscles can provide relief.
Steroid Injections: In some cases, a steroid injection into the cubital tunnel may help reduce inflammation and pain.

These symptoms may come and go. If you experience any of them, you should consult with an elbow specialist as soon as possible.

When nonsurgical treatments fail, the only option is to proceed with surgical treatments. Surgical treatments for cubital tunnel syndrome include:

Cubital Tunnel Release: This procedure involves cutting the ligament roof of the cubital tunnel to create more space for the nerve.
Ulnar Nerve Transposition: This procedure involves moving the ulnar nerve to a new location in order to relieve pressure.
Medial Epicondylectomy: This procedure involves removing part of the bony bump on the inside of the elbow to prevent nerve compression.

One of our elbow specialists will be able to assess your cubital tunnel syndrome and determine which treatment will be most effective.