Cubital tunnel syndrome is a disorder affecting the ulnar nerve of the hands causing numbness. There will be tingling sensation in the forearm, fingers and parts of hand. The ulnar nerve originates from the medial brachial plexus and runs throughout the muscles of forearm and hand. Since it affects the nerves of the ulnar region this syndrome is also called ulnar neuropathy. Injury and increased pressure on the hand causes cubital tunnel syndrome and it can be controlled by medications and conservative treatments.
The ulnar nerve present in the elbow is damaged due to inflammation/pressure and it affects the nerves on the wrist. Very often it affects only the elbow causing compression on the ulnar nerve and this syndrome develops more in men than women.
Symptoms :
There will be numbness followed by pain in the elbow region. Some people will have tingling sensation in the little fingers and other fingers. In severe cases, the hands and fingers become weak and the person will not be able to pinch the thumb or little finger. The hand will lose gripping ability due to ulnar nerve damage. For some people it can cause claw like abnormality in the hand.
The extent and intensity of pain or numbness depends on the extent of ulnar nerve damage. Pain can be felt in the cupital tunnel area along with tenderness. Some may feel it as stabbing pain or cutting pain on the back of the hand and the pain will be more than usual when one indulges in stretching his fingers. Prolonged compression of the ulnar nerve can cause wasting of the intrinsic muscles and even abduction of little finger.
Causes :