UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Category: Orthopedics

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

Posted: 3/12/2011 by Brian Corwell, MD (Updated: 4/8/2025)
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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