Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Treatment in Kansas City, MO
What is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?
Cubital tunnel syndrome happens when the ulnar nerve on the inside of the elbow is injured and becomes swollen and irritated.
The ulnar nerve is one of the three main nerves in your arm and runs from your neck to your hand, going through the cubital tunnel, which is a tube formed by muscle, ligament, and bone.
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Our Walk-In Orthopedic Urgent Care Clinics are open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm.
In addition, our NKC and Lenexa locations are open on Saturday from 8 am – 6 pm. -
1950 Diamond Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64116 Also Open Sat 8am to 6pm
(816) 561-3003 19550 East 39th St S #410
Independence, MO 64057 (816) 303-2400-
10900 W 86th St
Lenexa, KS 66214 Also Open Sat 8am to 6pm
(816) 561-3003
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms
The most common signs of cubital tunnel syndrome are listed below, however, the symptoms may be different for each person. These include:
- Numbness and tingling in the hand and/or ring and little fingers, especially when the elbow is bent
- Hand ache
- Weak muscles in the affected arm and hand cause a weak grip and clumsiness
- Pain on the inside of the elbow
- Similar symptoms to golfer’s elbow
Our elbow specialists here at Orthopedic Health of Kansas City will diagnose your condition with expert care to help guide you through treatment to a pain-free life.
Common Causes of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
In a lot of cases of cubital tunnel syndrome, no one knows for sure what caused it. At the elbow, the ulnar nerve is at risk of being pinched because it has to go through a small space with very little soft tissue to protect it.
Here are the common causes of cubital tunnel syndrome:
- When you bend your elbow, the ulnar nerve has to wrap around the bony ridge of the inside elbow. Because this kind of stretching can irritate the nerve, keeping your elbow bent for long amounts of time or bending it repeatedly can cause pain
- When you lean on your arm for a long time, the nerve can get pinched
- When fluid builds up in the elbow, it can swell and press on the nerve
- A direct hit to the inside of the elbow can make the little and ring fingers hurt, feel like they are being shocked, and go numb. People often say that this is “hitting your funny bone”
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
The best way to treat cubital tunnel syndrome is to stop doing whatever activity is making the problem worse. Treatments may include:
- Resting and not doing anything that makes the pain worse, like moving the elbow,
- A splint or foam elbow brace that is worn at night to stop the elbow from moving and stop itching
- Using an arm pad to avoid long-term pain from hard surfaces
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen, can help
- Exercises for nerve gliding
- Steroid shots can help lessen pain and swelling
If these nonsurgical treatments do not help your condition, elbow surgery may be an option for you. There are a few surgical options available for this condition, which your orthopedic surgeon will discuss with you to help you choose.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Care in Kansas City
At Ortho Health of KC, our experienced physicians are ready to help you live a life that is free of pain and lets you move around as you like. If you have any of the above symptoms, please give us a call at (816)239-3843 to make an appointment at one of our many locations.