Cubital tunnel

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that involves pressure or stretching of the Ulnar nerve which can cause numbness or tingling in the ring and small fingers, pain in the forearm, and/or weakness in the hand. The ulnar nerve runs in a groove on the inner side of the elbow.

Anatomy

The Elbow is a complex joint where three bones meet: the Humerus (the upper arm bone), the Ulna (the larger bone of the forearm, on the opposite side of the thumb), and the Radius (the smaller bone of the forearm on the same side as the thumb). The ulnar nerve travels through a tunnel of tissue (the cubital tunnel) that runs under a bump of bone at the inside of your elbow. This bony bump is called the medial epicondyle. The spot where the nerve runs under the medial epicondyle is commonly referred to as the "funny bone." At the funny bone the nerve is close to your skin, and bumping it causes a shock-like feeling.

Causes

Cubital tunnel syndrome can be caused by various factors, including:

• Pressure: Leaning on the elbow for long periods of time or bending the elbow for prolonged periods such as while sleeping can put pressure on the ulnar nerve.
• Stretching: Keeping the elbow bent for long periods or stretching the elbow can cause the ulnar nerve to stretch and increase pressure.
• Anatomy: Some people's anatomy makes it more likely they will develop cubital tunnel syndrome. For example, having a larger than normal cubital tunnel or having a medial epicondyle that is more pointed than normal can create more pressure on the nerve.

Symptoms

Symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome may include:

• Numbness and tingling in the ring finger and small finger
• Weakness in the hand
• Decreased ability to pinch the thumb and little finger
• Decreased overall hand grip
• Difficulty with finger coordination (such as typing or playing a musical instrument)
• Muscle wasting in the hand

Treatment

Treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome can range from conservative methods such as physical therapy and bracing, to surgical interventions such as Ulnar nerve decompression or Ulnar nerve transposition.

See also

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Guyon's canal syndrome

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  Gray's Anatomy illustration of the cubital tunnel

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  Diagram of a compressed ulnar nerve