Cubital tunnel syndrome or treatment for compression

The cubital tunnel is made up of bones in your elbow and the forearm muscles which run across your elbow joint.  Your ulnar nerve passes through the tunnel to supply sensation to your fingers and information to the muscles that help move your hand.

Symptoms such as numbness, tingling and/or pain occur when the nerve becomes restricted by pressure within the tunnel, particularly on the inside of your elbow where it passes under the bony prominence known as the funny bone. This can result in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.

The most common Cubital or Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome symptoms are numbness, tingling and pain in the elbow or in the forearm and the hand at the base of the little and ring fingers. You might also notice that you drop things more often as your grip weakens.

These symptoms are more likely when you put pressure on the nerve, for example when you’re resting your elbow on a chair arm, when the elbow is bent for a long period of time - such as when you’re on the phone - and sometimes after sleeping.

Your Consultant will discuss your medical history and general health, including the type of work you do, any activities which may aggravate the condition as well as any medications you’re taking.

They’ll examine your arm and hand to determine which nerve is compressed, and where. They will also assess feeling and strength in your hand and fingers and whether moving your neck, shoulder, elbow and wrist causes symptoms. A nerve conduction test may be required.

You might be able to change the way you use your elbow and avoid situations which could trigger pressure or pain.   A splint to keep your arm straight at night may help. However, in more severe cases, cubital tunnel surgery may be recommended to relieve the pressure on the nerve.

Your surgeon will make a cut over the back of the inner side of your elbow and will cut any tight tissue that is compressing the nerve.

Your surgeon may need to remove a piece of bone or move the nerve so it is in front of the elbow. They will discuss this you.

Your surgeon will close your skin with stitches or clips.

Contact our Private Patient Team on 01580 363158 or via our online quotation form to request a quote, or view our pricing page for more information.