Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Specialist

Central Jersey Hand Surgery

Hand and Upper Extremity Surgeons located in Eatontown, Freehold, & Toms River, NJ

If you’ve ever hit your funny bone, you know there’s nothing funny about it. But what if that same nerve was continuously compressed and you had to live with the painful tingling sensation? The team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Central Jersey Hand Surgery in Eatontown, and Toms River, New Jersey, offers expert diagnosis and treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome, which compresses the ulnar nerve in your elbow. Call Central Jersey Hand Surgery or schedule a consultation online today for expert diagnosis and assessment of cubital tunnel syndrome.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Q & A

What is cubital tunnel syndrome?

Your cubital tunnel is a narrow passage of tissue on the outside of your elbow. It protects your ulnar nerve as it extends through your arm and into your hand, where it provides sensation to your ring and little fingers. Cubital tunnel syndrome develops when inflammation narrows your cubital tunnel and compresses the nerve.

Your ulnar nerve is the nerve that triggers the painful tingling sensations when you bump your “funny bone.” Cubital tunnel syndrome causes similar symptoms, including:

Pain that radiates down your forearm and into your hand
Numbness and tingling in your ring and little fingers
Electric-like jolts in your forearm and hand
Weakened grip
Lost finger coordination

When the nerve is compressed for a long time, it can lead to muscle wasting, which may not be reversible.

What causes cubital tunnel syndrome?

The exact cause of cubital tunnel syndrome isn’t fully understood, but several factors contribute to inflammation and ulnar nerve compression:

Repetitive movements in your elbow
Keeping your elbow bent or extended for a prolonged time
Leaning on your elbow for too long
Fluid build up in your elbow
A direct blow to your elbow

Your risk of cubital tunnel syndrome increases if you have bone spurs or cysts near your elbow or had an injury like a fracture or dislocation in the past.

How is cubital tunnel syndrome treated?

The team at Central Jersey Hand Surgery offers personalized treatment plans for cubital tunnel syndrome. They usually begin by providing conservative therapies, such as anti-inflammatory medications, padding, and modifying the way you hold your elbow.

However, if noninvasive treatments don’t relieve your inflammation and symptoms, the team offers surgical treatments to relieve the pressure on your nerve. The traditional surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome is an ulnar nerve transposition. During this procedure, your surgeon moves your ulnar nerve to the front of your elbow, which decreases tension on the nerve.

The surgeons at Central Jersey Hand Surgery also offer the cutting-edge endoscopic cubital tunnel release procedure. This minimally invasive procedure only requires a smaller incision and causes minimal disruption to the muscles, tendons, and connective tissue in your elbow. As a result, you recover more rapidly and can get back to your regular activities quickly.

If you’re concerned about cubital tunnel syndrome or have shooting pain and tingling sensations in your elbow, forearm, and hand, call Central Jersey Hand Surgery or make an appointment online today.