What is cubital tunnel syndrome?
Cubital tunnel syndrome involves compression of the ulnar nerve between the two bones on the inside of your elbow. Compression of the ulnar nerve causes similar symptoms to when you hit your ‘funny bone’. To discover the exact cause of your cubital tunnel syndrome you will need a diagnostic ultrasound scan.
One common cause of cubital tunnel syndrome is due to the nerve ‘flicking’ over the bone, this can be sometimes be felt if you bend your elbow. Cubital tunnel syndrome is common in those with manual jobs, weight lifters and if you have hypermobility syndrome. Most cubital tunnel symptoms settle with rest, however if they do not reduce, an ultrasound-guided injection to bathe the nerve can significantly help your symptoms. Certainly, one injection should be carried out before considering surgery.
What are the symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome pain?
The symptoms of a cubital tunnel syndrome are:
- Pain, pins and needles and numbness on the inside of the elbow, forearm and wrist and hand – specifically into 4th (ring) and 5th (little) fingers
- Weakness in the hand, especially the 4th (ring) and 5th (little) fingers.
- Clumsiness and weak grip
If this sounds like your pain, read on…
What other conditions can mimic cubital tunnel syndrome?
If this does not sound like your pain there are other conditions that can mimic the pain of cubital tunnel syndrome such as:
- Golfer’s elbow
- Tennis Elbow
- Posterior Interosseus Nerve (PIN) entrapment
Cubital tunnel syndrome vs golfer’s elbow
Both cubital tunnel syndrome and golfer’s elbow cause pain at the bony point on the inside of your elbow. However, cubital tunnel (because it effects the ulnar nerve) also causes pins and needles, numbness and weakness in the hand and wrist, particularly your little (5th) and ring (4th) finger. Golfer’s elbow does not cause these symptoms, it only causes pain, tenderness and weakness.