Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Treatment in Kansas City, MO

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.