What is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?
If you’re experiencing pain, numbness, and tingling in your ring and little fingers, particularly while sitting with your elbow on an armrest or with repetitive elbow bending and straightening, you may be suffering from cubital tunnel syndrome. Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition brought on by increased pressure on the ulnar nerve at the elbow. When the pressure becomes great enough to disturb the way the nerve works, numbness, tingling, and pain may be felt in the elbow, forearm, hand, and fingers.
Cubital tunnel syndrome can develop in several ways. The ulnar nerve is positioned right next to the bone and has very little padding over it, so pressure on the bone can quickly transition to excess pressure on the nerve. Holding your elbow in a bent position for a long period of time, which may occur while you’re sleeping, can also create pressure on the nerve.
Cubital Tunnel Release at the Elbow
Normally an outpatient procedure, cubital tunnel release at the elbow performed under general or regional anesthesia alleviates compression of the ulnar nerve. This nerve travels along the inner side of the elbow and down to the hand. Cubital tunnel release is used to treat cubital tunnel syndrome.
See a Specialist
To learn more about the treatments available for cubital tunnel syndrome, please request an appointment online or call 888-660-2663 to schedule a consultation with a Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists specialty-trained elbow doctor.
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