Cubital tunnel syndrome is a painful condition where compression of the ulnar nerve causes numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand.
What is cubital tunnel syndrome?
Cubital tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the ulnar nerve where it runs at the elbow. The nerve is held in place at the elbow by ligaments that are wrapped around it. These ligaments form a tight space just behind the bony bump on your inner elbow called the medial epicondyle.
What are the symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome?
Symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand. It occurs most often when sleeping, reading, using your phone, or resting your elbows on a chair or desk. It may wake individuals up from sleep due to its painful nature.
What causes cubital tunnel syndrome?
Cubital tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the ulnar nerve where it runs at the elbow. The most common cause of cubital tunnel syndrome is repeated pressure on the nerve against the medial epicondyle and thickening of the tissue around the nerve.
How is cubital tunnel syndrome treated?
Treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome includes pressure or padding on the elbow to avoid further compression, splinting of the elbow at night, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If symptoms do not resolve with this treatment, surgery may be required. Surgery involves a small incision at the elbow to release the tight tissue around the nerve.
What can patients expect after treatment?
Patients can expect symptom relief fairly quickly. The burning pain often goes away almost immediately since it is caused by the pressure on the nerve. Numbness or weakness can take longer to recover though because the nerve needs to heal and that can take a long time.
