What Is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?
Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve — which travels through the groove on the inside of the elbow (the "funny bone" area) — becomes compressed or stretched. The ulnar nerve controls sensation to the ring and little fingers and powers the small muscles of the hand responsible for fine motor tasks.
Symptoms
- Numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers
- Symptoms that worsen with elbow bent (driving, talking on the phone, sleeping)
- Weakness in grip and pinch
- Difficulty with fine motor tasks — buttoning, typing
- Aching pain on the inner side of the elbow
- In advanced cases: visible muscle wasting between thumb and index finger
Non-Surgical Treatment
- Elbow padding — protecting the nerve from direct pressure
- Nighttime extension splinting — keeping the elbow straight during sleep
- Activity modification — avoiding prolonged elbow flexion
Surgical Treatment
When conservative measures fail or compression is severe, Dr. Richards performs in situ decompression, anterior transposition (moving the nerve in front of the elbow), or medial epicondylectomy depending on the anatomic cause. As a fellowship-trained nerve specialist, he tailors the approach to each patient's anatomy — a nuanced decision that significantly affects outcomes.