Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome is compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. It commonly causes numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers, hand weakness, and aching around the elbow or forearm. Symptoms may worsen when the elbow is bent for long periods (phone use, driving, sleeping).

At The New Foscote Hospital, you can access rapid consultant orthopaedic assessment, diagnostic testing, and tailored treatment, including ulnar nerve decompression or anterior transposition when surgery is required.

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Symptoms

• Pins and needles or numbness in the ring and little fingers
• Weak grip, clumsiness, or dropping objects
• Medial elbow pain or forearm ache
• Symptoms provoked by prolonged elbow flexion (bending) or leaning on the elbow
• In advanced cases, hand muscle wasting and persistent weakness

Seek specialist advice early if symptoms are frequent, disturb sleep, or affect daily activities.

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Causes And Risk Factors

• Repetitive or prolonged elbow flexion (phone, keyboard, driving)
• Leaning on the elbow (“student’s elbow”)
• Prior elbow fracture/dislocation or arthritis
• Cysts, bone spurs, or soft-tissue thickening narrowing the cubital tunnel
• Diabetes, thyroid disease, or conditions affecting peripheral nerves

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Diagnosis At The New Foscote Hospital

Your consultant will take a focused history and examination and may recommend:

• Nerve conduction studies/EMG to confirm ulnar nerve compression and gauge severity
• Ultrasound to assess the nerve’s position and dynamic subluxation
• X-ray to look for arthritis or bony spurs
• MRI (selected cases) for complex elbow pathology or atypical symptoms

Orthopaedic Services
Meet Our Consultants
Imaging At Foscote (MRI)

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Treatment Options

Non-Surgical Care (mild or moderate cases)

• Activity modification and avoiding prolonged elbow flexion
• Night splinting to keep the elbow comfortably straighter
• Physiotherapy for nerve-gliding and posture/ergonomic advice
• Analgesia/anti-inflammatories when appropriate

Surgical Treatment (persistent or severe cases)

• Ulnar Nerve Decompression (in-situ release) to relieve pressure in the cubital tunnel
• Anterior Transposition of the Ulnar Nerve (subcutaneous or submuscular) if the nerve subluxes, there are anatomical constraints, or previous surgery has failed
• Medial epicondylectomy in selected cases

Your surgeon will discuss expected outcomes, risks, and recovery timelines for each option.

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Recovery And Rehabilitation

Most patients go home the same day after decompression. Recovery typically includes:

• Early hand and elbow mobility exercises
• Wound care and gradual return to work/driving (guided by your surgeon)
• Physiotherapy to optimise range of motion, strength and nerve gliding
• Nerve symptoms improve over weeks to months; long-standing compression may take longer to recover

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When To Seek Specialist Help

Book a consultation if you have:

• Persistent numbness/tingling in the ring and little fingers
• Night symptoms or sleep disturbance
• Weakness or visible muscle wasting in the hand
• Symptoms that haven’t improved with splinting or activity changes

Early assessment improves outcomes and may prevent permanent nerve damage.