(Ulnar nerve entrapment neuropathy)
What Is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?
Cubital tunnel syndrome is compression of the ulnar nerve, one of the three main nerves of the arm (the median, radial and ulnar nerves), at the level of the elbow for various reasons, resulting in impaired nerve conduction.
What Are the Symptoms of the Syndrome?
It presents with numbness and weakness in the little finger and half of the ring finger, sometimes with an electric-shock sensation. Symptoms get worse when the elbow is bent, when lying in bed at night, or toward the early hours of the morning.
Who Is Most Commonly Affected by Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?
Office workers, people whose work involves leaning on their arm, throwing athletes, people who talk on the phone for long periods with the elbow bent, people with a mass at the elbow, and people with long-standing inflammation around the elbow.
How Is It Treated?
Anti-edema medication, activity restriction, cold therapy and splinting are tried first. If these medical treatments are unsuccessful, the area where the nerve is compressed is opened surgically to release the nerve. If considered necessary, the nerve is also rerouted (anterior transposition) so that it is no longer affected by bending of the elbow.
