UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Orthopedics

Title: Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Keywords: nerve entrapment, ulnar nerve, elbow (PubMed Search)

Posted: 3/12/2011 by Brian Corwell, MD (Updated: 3/28/2024)
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Cubital Tunnel Syndrome aka Radial Tunnel Syndrome

  • The most common neuropathy of the elbow
  • Entrapment of the ulnar nerve as it passes posterior to the medial epicondyle of the elbow
  • HX: medial elbow and forearm pain occasionally associated with ulnar digit paresthesias.
  • May be due to trauma, degenerative changes or throwing sports.
  • PE:  Pain with elbow flexion. Tenderness to palpation over the cubital tunnel. Positive Tinnel's sign.
  • **Up to a quarter of normal asymptomatic patients will have a positive Tinnel's**
  • DDx: Ulnar collateral ligament strain/tear and medial epicondylitis
  • Tx: Ice, NSAIDs, activity modification, night splints with elbow in 45 degrees flexion and finally surgical decompression or nerve transposition    

      

   

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