Causes

There many causes, but there is no one exact cause to Cubital Tunnel Syndrme. The Ulnar Nerve is very vulnerable to compression as it has to pass through a very narrow with little soft tissue to protect it. Some of the more common causes are:

Bending your elbow causes the Ulnar Nerve to stretch around the medial epicondyle. This causes irritation as a result of bending your elbow often or for long periods of time. This irritation leads to additional painful symptoms.
In some cases, the nerve slides from behind the medial epicondyle when the elbow is bent. The sliding back and forth causes irritation.
Learning on your elbow can also put pressure on the nerve causing irritation.
Fluid build up can create swelling which causes pressure on the Ulnar Nerve

Symptoms

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome can result in an aching pain inside the elbow, but many symptoms are occur in the hand. Symptoms can be:

Numbness and tingling in the ring finger or little fingers. This symptom is more common when the elbow is bent.
In severe cases you may experience a weaker grip or trouble with finger coordination.

Treatments

Non-Surgical:

Medication: If the symptoms started recently doctors may recommend non-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. This will help reduce the swelling.

Brace/Splints: Doctors may recommend braces or splints to keep your elbow straight at night.

Nerve Gliding: Some doctors believe performing exercises that help the nerve slide can improve symptoms. These exercises can prevent stiffness in both the arm and wrist.

Surgical:

Surgery is only recommended if non-surgical treatment was not effective, the Ulnar Nerve is VERY compressed, or if nerve compression has resulted in muscle weakness or damage.

There are a several procedures. Consult with your surgeon to see which is best for you.

Cubital Tunnel Release: This procedure cuts and divides the ligament roof of the cubital tunnel. As a result of of the increased space, pressure is reduce on the nerve.

Ulnar Nerve Anterior Transportation: In some cases the Ulnar Nerve is moved from behind the elbow to the front. This move prevents the nerve from getting caught and stretching in the bony ridge of the medial epicondyle when the elbow is bent.

Medial Epicondylectomy: To reduce pressure the nerve you remove part of the medial epicondyle. Similar to the Anterior Transportation procedure, this helps prevent the nerve from getting caught in the bony ridge when stretching around the elbow.

What is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

More Information About Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Causes

Symptoms

Treatments

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