Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition in which there is pressure on the ulnar nerve inside the cubital tunnel. The ulnar nerve starts at your neck and goes down to your fingers. The ulnar nerve goes through a small tunnel in your elbow called the cubital tunnel. The part of the nerve that is inside the tunnel may be pinched, stretched, or inflamed. These problems may cause pain, numbness (loss of feeling), tingling, or weakness in your arm and hand. Your risk for cubital tunnel syndrome is higher if you injure your ulnar nerve. Your nerve may have been injured by a fall. Leaning on your elbow, or bending your elbow too long or too often, may also injure your nerve. Your risk increases if you are obese or you have arthritis or diabetes.
  
  
• Cubital tunnel syndrome usually affects the ring and small finger of your hand. Your caregiver may test for cubital tunnel syndrome by tapping around your elbow. He will ask you if the tapping causes pain or tingling in your finger and small finger. He may also ask you to bend your elbow for three minutes. During this time, he will press on your ulnar nerve to see if it causes any symptoms. Caregivers may also do x-rays, an electrodiagnostic study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or an ultrasound. Treatments may include rest, medicine, elbow supports, physical therapy, injections (shots), and surgery. Treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome may allow you to return to sports and other activities.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Using ice on your elbow for too long may cause damage. Surgery may cause an infection, pain, swelling, or bruising. Surgery may also cause nerve damage, which can cause numbness in your arm and hand. Surgery may damage the muscles, ligaments, or blood vessels in your arm. Even after treatment, you may still have symptoms. You may need surgery again.
  
  
• Without treatment, your symptoms, such as pain and tingling, may not go away or get worse. Your hand and fingers may become very weak. You may have problems using your arm or hand. You may not be able to grab, squeeze, or lift items. It may be hard for you to do your daily activities. Talk with your caregiver if you have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Medicine:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine: This family of medicine is also called NSAIDs. This medicine may help decrease pain and inflammation (swelling).

Tests:

These tests may help caregivers find out what is putting pressure on your nerve. These tests may also help your caregiver decide if you should have surgery.

• Electrodiagnostic studies: Electrodiagnostic studies may include nerve conduction studies and electromyography. These studies test how well your nerves are working. Your caregiver may use these tests to learn more about your condition and decide how to treat your symptoms. Ask your caregiver for more information about these tests.
  
  
• Joint x-ray: This is a picture of the bones and tissues in your joints. Joints are the places in your body where two bones meet. You may be given dye as a shot into your joint before the x-ray. This dye will help your joint show up better on the x-ray. A joint x-ray with dye is called an arthrogram.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging: This test is also called an MRI. During the MRI, pictures are taken of your elbow. An MRI may find swelling or damage to your ulnar nerve. An MRI may also show if there is anything pressing on your nerve in the cubital tunnel. You need to lie still during an MRI. Never enter the MRI room with any metal objects. This can cause serious injury. Tell your caregiver if you have any metal implants in your body.
  
  
• Ultrasound: An ultrasound uses sound waves to show pictures of your elbow and forearm tissues on a TV-like screen. An ultrasound may show if you have something pushing on the nerve in your cubital tunnel.

Treatment options:

• Rest: You may need to rest your injured arm and avoid activities that cause your symptoms. Resting your arm may allow your nerve to heal and feel better.
  
  
• Ice: Putting ice on your elbow may decrease pain and swelling. Talk with your caregiver about using ice before you do so.
  
  
• Elbow supports: Your caregiver may suggest that you use a brace or splint on your elbow to decrease your arm movement. Decreasing your arm movement may help to keep pressure off your ulnar nerve. Your caregiver may tell you to use elbow supports only when you are sleeping. Your caregiver may also tell you to use elbow pads to protect your elbow.
  
  
• Physical therapy: You may need physical therapy after your symptoms improve. Physical therapy exercises strengthen your muscles and help decrease your pain and tingling.
  
  
• Surgery: You may need surgery if your symptoms do not improve with other treatments. Surgery may take pressure off your ulnar nerve. Your caregiver may move your nerve to a different area to stop it from being stretched or pinched. Your caregiver may remove part of your bone if it is pressing on your nerve. Ask your caregiver for more information about surgery to treat your cubital tunnel syndrome.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (Inpatient Care)