Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Erika Ferris Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Erika Ferris
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome • Also called telephone operator’s cramp or cell phone elbow • Affects the ulnar nerve • The ulnar nerve passes through the cubital tunnel, down the forearm and into the hand • The ulnar nerve provides sensation to little and ring finger and controls some of the muscles in the hand • Same feeling as hitting the “Funny Bone”
Causes and Risk Factors • Repetitive bending of the elbow • Holding elbow in a bent position • Continuous pressure on elbow bone • Prior injuries to or around elbow • Bone spurs or arthritis
Symptoms • Numbness on the ulnar side of the hand in the little finger and ½ of the ring finger • Numbness can turn into pain over time • Can cause weakness in some of the muscles of the hand
Diagnosis • Medical History • Physical exam • Nerve conduction velocity (NVC) test • Electromyogram (EMG)
Common Jobs with CTS • Assembly line workers • Checkout line workers • Data entry • Or anything with excessive typing • Factory Workers • Mechanics • And other jobs that use vibrating tools
Treatment • Rest and immobilization • Anti-inflammatory meds • Limit time bending elbow and take frequent breaks • Modify the activity/task • Braces or splints • Physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the muscles • Surgery
Surgery • Ulnar nerve decompression • Reduces pressure on the nerve • Medial epicondylectomy • Removes part of the medial epicondyle • Anterior transposition • Moving the nerve either ab ove or below the muscle
Prevention Methods • Avoid resting directly on elbow • Limit activates that require bending of the elbow • Keep arm straight while at rest • Wearing a splint at night to keep elbow straight while sleeping
Statistics • Second most prevalent nerve compression in the arm • Up to three weeks of time off needed depending on which surgery • Not including time for physical therapy afterwards
Sources • Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Dallas. (2018, December 21). Retrieved from https: //www. handandwristinstitute. com/cubital-tunnel-syndrome-treatmentdallas/ • Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. (n. d. ). Retrieved from https: //www. hopkinsmedicine. org/health/conditions-and-diseases/cubitaltunnel-syndrome • Cubital tunnel syndrome. (n. d. ). Retrieved from https: //www. northwell. edu/orthopaedic-institute/find-care/conditions/cubitaltunnel-syndrome • Cutts S. (2007). Cubital tunnel syndrome. Postgraduate medical journal, 83(975), 28– 31. doi: 10. 1136/pgmj. 2006. 047456 • Preventing Ulnar Nerve Compression. (n. d. ). Retrieved from https: //nyulangone. org/conditions/ulnar-nerve-compression-inadults/prevention
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