Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

What is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?

Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve that passes through the cubital tunnel (a tunnel of muscle, ligament, and bone) on the inner part of the elbow is injured and becomes inflamed, swollen and irritated.

Cubital tunnel syndrome causes pain that is very similar to the pain you experience when you hit the "funny bone" in the elbow. The "Funny bone" in the elbow is actually the ulnar nerve, a nerve that passes through the elbow. The ulnar nerve starts at the side of your neck and ends in your fingers.

What are the Causes of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?

There are three possible causes of this condition:

1. Pressure: The ulnar nerve has a few pads on it so that direct pressure (like leaning your arm on an armrest) can cause your arm and hands especially the ring and the small fingers to fall asleep.

2. Stretching: when you keep your elbow bent for a long time, it can stretch the ulnar nerve. This can occur during sleeping or in the event that you are holding a phone over a long period of time, this is just a case study.

3. Anatomy: Sometimes the ulnar nerve simply does not stay in place. It will move back and forth over a bony bump as you move your elbow which can result in irritation of the nerve.

The cubital tunnel syndrome can be very painful and can lead to feelings of weakness or clumsiness. You may have a different health condition that causes similar symptoms, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, or nerve stuck in your neck.

What are the Symptoms of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?

The ulnar nerve is also sometimes referred to as the funny bone nerve. Where the ulnar nerve passes through the elbow, there is a very little fat and subcutaneous tissue, which means that the nerve is closer to the skin surface and more sensitive. Therefore, if a person hits his inner elbow, the feeling may sound like an electric shock.

Below are some of the symptoms experienced by individuals with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome:

• There will be numbness, pain, and weakness some parts of the affected area such as in the arm, forearm, and fingers.
• The rate at which you hold or grip object will be reduced.
• You wake up at night from pain or numbness in the hands or fingers, especially the pinky and ring fingers.
• Difficulty bending and straightening the fingers.
• It will be difficult to do things with the hands or fingers.
• There will be a loss of at the base of the small fingers.

The symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome usually become more difficult when the elbow is long folded or compressed.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

Treatment for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome requires restoring the circulation and blood flow to the affected structures in your elbow. Pain is caused when swelling, inflammation and decreased circulation generate a blockage, which causes blood flow to be interrupted or slowed. Treatment for this issue requires breaking up the accumulated fluids in your elbow to allow for improved healing and quicker recovery.

Products recommended for symptoms of swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:

Ice Substitute Poultice

Bruise Relief Liniment

Muscle Therapy Massage Oil

Products recommended when swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather, and if heat makes your pain feel better:

Pain Relief Liniment

Tendon and Ligament Poultice

Muscle Therapy Massage Oil