Ulna Nerve Compression (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome)
This is a condition brought by increased pressure on the ulnar nerve at the elbow. This compression is caused by a number of tough tissue bands as it passes above, through and behind the elbow joint. The ulnar nerve passes across, behind a bump on the inner side of the elbow. This bump is called the medial epicondyle. The "funny bone" is actually the corner of the nerve as makes the bend around the elbow. Hitting the elbow at this spot tickles the nerve and gives a brief feeling of a shock or tingling.

The patient usually complains of tingling, “pins and needles” and sometime pain in the little and ring fingers. The symptoms are usually felt when there is pressure on the nerve, such as sitting with the elbow on an arm rest, with repetitive elbow bending and when the elbow is held in a bent position for a period of time, such as when holding the phone, or while sleeping. This may cause a night sleep disturbance. Later symptoms of weakness and wasting of the muscles of the hand may develop.

The patient needs to be seen by a doctor (or Specialist) to make the diagnosis on the clinical ground. A nerve test called electromyography (EMG) and/or nerve conduction study (NCS) may be required to confirm the diagnosis and to assess its severity. This test also checks for other possible nerve problems, such as a pinched nerve in the neck, which may cause similar symptoms. Back...

Treatment
In the mild form of this condition, treatment can be provided in the form of elbow splints. They keep the elbow from bending and may be useful if worn at night. However if the condition is severe and problematic to the patient, surgery will be recommended to the patient. The aim of surgery is to relieve the pressure on the nerve by creating more space around it. The most common and standard procedure is open surgical release of the cubital tunnel. This is achieved by small cut in the back of the elbow.

It is frequently a Day-Surgery procedure with a high success rate, low complication rate and a relatively fast recovery period. Back...

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