Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
What is it?
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a compression injury to the ulnar nerve which passes closely to the surface of the skin near the elbow. You can often feel the sensation this nerve can produce when you’ve bumped your help and it produces a pins and needles jolt also know has hitting your funny bone. This condition usually occurs when the cubital tunnel is compressed by continuously leaning or putting constant pressure on your elbow, bending your elbow for sustained periods of time, such as talking on the phone or sleeping with a bent elbow. It can also be aggravated by a bone growth in the elbow or repetitive twisting motion needed to throw a slider as seen in baseball pitchers.
Symptoms
Early symptoms include a tingling sensation that will often radiate down into the 4th and 5th fingers of the hand, or the ring and pinky finger and is often described as falling asleep sensation in the elbow and hand. More severe symptoms may cause pain and numbness in the elbow, and weakness in the forearm and hand.
Treatment
Treatment options include rest, immobilization with a splint, cushioning of the nerve with an elbow pad, and anti-inflammatory medications. Your physician may perform an EMG (electromyography), a nerve conduction study or both to properly diagnosis this condition. This will allow them to identify the area of nerve damage and determine the severity of damage that occurred to the nerve. In some cases surgery may be performed to alleviate the pressure on the ulnar nerve.
If you are experiencing Elbow pain, weakness of the Elbow, stiffness of the Elbow or night time Elbow pain, give us a call 972-250-5700 or make an appointment now.