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Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common nerve compression occurring in the arm. (Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common.)
It is caused mainly by prolonged increased pressure on the ulnar nerve at the elbow.
This pressure results in
Cubital tunnel syndrome generally affects men more than women, especially those with jobs that require repetitive elbow movements and a bent elbow position, such as
Our senior hand therapists and senior physiotherapists help people with cubital tunnel syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the ulnar nerve (medically termed as "ulnar nerve entrapment") when it passes under a bony bump (the medial epicondyle) on the inside portion of the elbow.
In this area, the nerve is relatively unprotected and can be trapped between the bone and the skin in a tunnel called the cubital tunnel. Although it is not an actual bone, this area is commonly called your “funny bone.”
When you hit the funny bone just the right way, you have actually hit the ulnar nerve.
This contact sends a sensation of
When the ulnar nerve is compressed, it causes the same type of symptoms. The ulnar nerve can be pinched at any point along its length, but the most common site of compression is on the cubital tunnel.
Cubital tunnel syndrome can occur after a traumatic incident, such as an elbow fracture, or develop slowly over time as a repetitive strain injury. It usually begins with numbness and/or tingling, or burning on the inside of the forearm extending down into the hand.
Typical symptoms include:
Later symptoms sometimes include:
CAUTION: More severe symptoms, especially those with muscle wasting and hand deformities, should be evaluated by a physician.
Cubital tunnel syndrome can be diagnosed by a
We will typically perform a n in-depth comprehensive evaluation that should include assessment of your neck to rule out compression of the nerve where it starts in the neck. To confirm the compression of the ulnar nerve is occurring at the elbow, we may use the following tests and examination:
Cubital tunnel syndrome can be accurately diagnosed clinically without additional testing.
Occasionally you may be referred for electrodiagnostic tests called
These tests evaluate the ability of the nerve to conduct signals along its full length. They can help determine the exact site of the compression and estimate the extent of the compression.
If our senior physiotherapists and/or senior hand therapists considers your symptoms to be more severe, they may refer you to a physician for an additional assessment.
Many cases of mild to moderate cubital tunnel syndrome can be treated without surgery.
We will determine the activities that bring on your symptoms. The recommendations at this point will be to avoid those activities for a time. Remember, the nerve is irritated and at times swollen. If the irritation and swelling can be reduced, the symptoms should resolve.
In more advanced cases, we will modify your activity and may recommend you use a splint to take the pressure off the nerve. As your condition begins to improve, we may teach you:
Range-of-motion exercises
We will show you specific exercises to help return full length to the muscles of the arm that have shortened due to protective posturing, and to maintain the normal length of those that have remained unaffected.
Muscle strengthening exercises
Improving strength in the surrounding muscles can help reduce pain and improve functional ability.
Nerves have the ability to be stretched, just like muscles or joints. Nerve tissue is the strongest, longest tissue in the body and the one most sensitive to stretching. In cubital tunnel syndrome, the nerve can become tight or trapped; these exercises are an effective means of promoting blood flow to the ulnar nerve and gently stretching it.
We will teach you ways to avoid positions and postures that compress or put prolonged stretch on the ulnar nerve. You may need to learn how to modify work and self-care activities to prevent further nerve irritation.
If Surgery Is Required
More severe or prolonged cases of cubical tunnel syndrome may require surgery. The longer you have experienced symptoms and the more you experience
the more likely you are to need surgery. The #1 goal of cubital tunnel syndrome surgery is to relieve the pressure on the ulnar nerve.
Our senior hand therapists and senior physiotherapirsts will design an individual program of postsurgical physiotherapy and/or post-surgery hand therapy based on the nature of your operation and the surgeon’s instructions.
Each surgery will require a unique treatment
regimen, but your postsurgical rehabilitation will involve many of the
elements discussed above. Activity modification will be a big part of
your postsurgical rehabilitation to prevent your cubital tunnel syndrome from ever coming back.
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Phoenix Rehab Group works with specialist physiotherapists and rehab therapists who are highly trained, qualified, experienced and passionate to provide high level of expert care to our patients.
HAND THERAPY & CUSTOMIZED SPLINTING
Patients who sustained injuries to their elbows, forearms, hands, wrists (sprains and fractures) and fingers, usually will benefit / require Hand Therapy to
Commonly treated hand pain injuries includes
REFORMER CLINICAL PILATES & WELLNESS PILATES
Clinical Pilates is a form of physical exercise that focuses on posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility and breathing.
It is a system of safe and effective exercises, which meet specific individual needs, to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions.
You may do Pilates as matwork or with the reformer or both, and every session will be customized 100% to your fitness, injury and tolerance.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)
DEEP TISSUE RELEASE & SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY
Sports and deep tissue release massage helps to increase nutrient-rich blood flow to tired, tight and tense muscles to accelerate recovery and shorten downtime / recovery period required.
It also prevents muscles from scar tissue micro-tears (and potential ruptures), and increases muscle performance. Having regular deep tissue and sports massage will keep your muscles healthy and fit with body/movement-confidence.
Read the benefits of regular deep tissue release therapy here.
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
All our allied health therapists and TCM physicians are fully insured and registered with Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Board (TCMB).
See our entire team here with introductions and their specializations.
At the first session, our specialist physiotherapists will carry out a thorough assessment, helping them to select the most appropriate treatment to help you recover as well as provide treatment in the same session.
Follow up sessions are inline to provide expert treatment for your pain as well as prescribing specific exercises to reduce your risk of re-injury and giving you a long term solution.
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