You've likely heard of carpal tunnel syndrome, but did you know you can have a similar problem in your elbow? Cubital tunnel syndrome is a problem that compresses the ulnar nerve in the elbow.
The ulnar nerve is an essential part of your arm that innervates many of the muscles in the forearm and hand. When you have cubital tunnel syndrome, doing anything with your hands, including typing, isn't easy.
At Orthopaedic Specialists in Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Brandon Downs treats various orthopaedic issues, including cubital tunnel syndrome. Dr. Downs has years of experience providing cutting-edge treatments to reduce pain and improve his patient's lives.
The cubital tunnel is similar to the carpal tunnel, except for the elbow. It's a narrow tunnel comprising various tissues where the ulnar nerve passes through.
You know that bony bump on your elbow that you inevitably hit, and it causes you to laugh and cry? That bump is the medial epicondyle, which is where the cubital tunnel passes under.
Cubital tunnel syndrome happens when the tissues in the cubital tunnel compress the ulnar nerve. The nerve is very vulnerable to injury or entrapment under the medial epicondyle because the cubital tunnel is thin in that area.
The ulnar nerve is the problem in cubital tunnel syndrome. It's one of the three primary nerves in the arm, along with the radial and median nerves.
Your ulnar nerve begins in the neck and continues down the arms into your hands. It sends messages from the brain to the forearm and hands, allowing you to feel and move.
The ulnar nerve is responsible for the electric shock when you hit your "funny bone." That pain isn't a bone, though; it's compression of the ulnar nerve under the medial epicondyle.
Your forearm muscles and fingers on the pinky side of the hand move because of the ulnar nerve. Living with cubital tunnel syndrome affects the muscles in the forearm and hand, making it difficult to perform specific movements and fine motor skills.
Cubital tunnel syndrome has various signs and symptoms that may affect the area around the elbow, forearm, or hands. It happens for different reasons, including changes in the soft tissues around the elbow or overstretching the nerve.
The symptoms of cubital tunnel vary from person to person and usually worsen without treatment. Seek help from Dr. Downs if you notice any of the following symptoms:
These symptoms are usually more apparent when your elbow is bent. For instance, you may have worse symptoms when driving or holding a phone to your ear.
Cubital tunnel syndrome can happen to anyone, but certain people are at a higher risk. The significant factors that contribute to cubital tunnel syndrome include:
If you have a job where you need to keep your elbows bent for long periods, you're also at risk for cubital tunnel syndrome.
When you notice numbness or tingling in the hands or have elbow pain, seeing Dr. Downs is a good idea. He carefully evaluates your symptoms to determine if the cubital tunnel is the issue behind the symptoms.
He may offer physical therapy or injections to provide relief and long-term pain management for cubital tunnel syndrome.
Request an appointment with Dr. Downs or call Orthopaedic Specialists today for cubital tunnel syndrome. You can also request a consultation using the convenient online booking tool.
