Cubital tunnel syndrome refers to a compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. The ulnar nerve is a combination of nerves that originates at the neck and travels to the pinky side of the hand. The nerve is both motor and sensory and provides both the motor control and the sensation to the pinky and the side of the ring finger. It also provides muscle control to the small muscles in the hand that provide fine motor coordination in tip and pinch. Handwriting can be significantly affected by ulnar nerve dysfunction.
The ulnar nerve can be compressed at multiple sites in the arm and will be evaluated for specific compression at the elbow before treatment can begin. The physician use a nerve conduction study to evaluate for nerve latency, or the amount of time that it takes for the nerve to send an electrical signal past the compression spot and toward the hand. If the affected side is slower than the unaffected side, the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome may be appropriate.

• 50% of cases resolve without surgical intervention
• Clinical evaluation techniques may be falsely positive in up to 24% of cases.
• Cubital tunnel symptoms may actually be related to compression at the neck
• 65% of cases occur in women
• Average age of diagnosis is 52 years of age. Patient age is the most important factor in determining if surgery is needed to improve the condition.

• Repetitive strain: Repetitive bending of the elbow or sustained bending of the elbow causes the ulnar nerve to bend at a maximum of 150 degrees. When the elbow is bent to hold a phone to the ear, the nerve may be bent for a long period of time.. When the nerve is pinched repetitively, it can become inflamed and drag through the tunnel that houses it.
• Direct compression: When the elbow has direct pressure to the ulnar nerve, it can cause the same amount of pinch as when the elbow is bent. Compression may occur when the elbow is pushed onto a table during computer work, when a shirt sleeve is pushed up to the elbow, or when an elbow strap is used for tennis elbow.
• Trauma: Trauma to the elbow may cause a fracture or injury that affects the cubital tunnel. An x-ray may be used to determine whether the cause for the compression is a bony fragment.

• Repetitive use of upper limbs that require the bending of the elbow
• Prior Injury to the elbow
• Bone Spurs at the joint

Non-operative treatment

Surgical treatment

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