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Cosmetic SiteCubital Tunnel Syndrome
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What is Cubital tunnel?
Cubital tunnel syndrome is the compression or stretching of the “funny bone nerve” at the elbow. This may be caused by a single injury, a culmination of multiple minor injuries, or simply normal wear and tear in the aging process. When the nerve becomes compressed and/or stretched it causes aching in the little finger side of the forearm and perhaps into the hand. It also causes numbness and tingling in the small finger and perhaps part of the ring finger.
What are the treatment options?
Initially, conservative treatment involves avoiding acute flexion of the elbow. When the elbow is tightly flexed, this increases the pressure and traction on the nerve and increases nerve irritation. Oftentimes the elbow is flexed tightly during sleep and simply providing a device that will prevent acute flexion during the night is very helpful in alleviating the symptoms. Oftentimes medications that fight inflammation are used as well.
For failure of conservative measures surgical options are entertained. In most cases the surgery involves dissecting the nerve and moving it out of its tunnel into a new location that will relieve the pressure and reduce the tightness of the nerve. This surgery is usually done under a general anesthetic as an outpatient. Casts or splints are seldom used. As with all upper extremity surgeries, patient’s performance of postoperative therapy is key to maximize the result.