A Comprehensive Review of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (CuTS) is the compression of the ulnar nerve as it courses through the cubital tunnel near the elbow at the location colloquially referred to as the “funny bone”. CuTS is the most commonly diagnosed mononeuropathy after carpal tunnel syndrome. Cubital tunnel syndrome can manifest as numbness, tingling, or pain in the ring/small fingers and dorsoulnar hand. Repetitive pressure, stretching, flexion, or trauma of the elbow joint are known causes of CuTS. Chronic ulnar nerve compression and CuTS, when left untreated, can lead to atrophy of the first dorsal interosseus muscle and affect one’s quality of life to the point that they are no longer able to participate in daily activities involving fine motor function. It is estimated that up to 5.9% of the general population have had symptoms of CuTS. CuTS is underdiagnosed due to lack of seeking of treatment for symptoms. Compression or damage to the ulnar nerve is the main cause of symptoms experienced by an individual with CuTS. Repetitive elbow pressure or a history or elbow joint trauma or injury are additional known causes that can lead to CuTS. Common presentations of CuTS include paresthesia, clumsiness of the hand, hand atrophy and weakness. The earliest sign of CuTS is most commonly numbness and tingling of the ring and 5th finger. Older patients tend to present with motor symptoms of chronic onset; younger patients tend to have more acute symptoms. Pain and point tenderness at the medial elbow may also be seen. CuTS lacks universally agreed upon diagnostic and treatment algorithms. CuTS can be diagnosed by physical exam using Tinel’s sign, flexion-compression tests, palpating the ulnar nerve for thickening presence of local tenderness along the nerve. Ultrasound and nerve conduction studies may be used in combination with physical exam for diagnosis. Conservative treatment for CuTS is almost always pursued before surgical treatment and includes elbow splints, braces, and night-gliding exercises. Surgical treatment may be pursued in severe CuTS refractory to conservative treatment. Surgical options include open and endoscopic in-situ decompression, medial epicondylectomy, and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. CuTS is a prevalent disease that, if left untreated, can significantly alter an individual’s quality of life. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment is paramount in reducing further damage and preventing worsening or future symptoms.

Anterior transposition and positioning via helix sling method in cubital tunnel syndrome: An open-label, retrospective trial of maximum 5-year follow-up

“…The surgical treatment of CuTS has been practiced and discussed a lot in the past decades [ 9 , 10 ]. Many strategies of nerve release include anterior transposition and simple release, or wrapping the nerve with native tissues [ 11 ].…”

Vücut Kitle İndeksi ve Mononöropatiler Arasındaki İlişki

“…CTS is known to be more common in women (9,42). In addition, there are studies reporting that UNE is more common in men (12,43). Given that gender is a risk factor for some mononeuropathies, this may have influenced our results.…”

Serial electrodiagnostic testing: Utility and indications in adult neurological disorders

“…[11][12][13][14] Postsurgical intervention for UNE, the specific surgery performed may indicate the underlying reasons for failure/ recurrence. [15][16][17] Although motor nerve conduction across the elbow rarely normalizes postoperatively, worsening slowing of conduction velocity (compared with a preoperative study) raises concern for a persistent or recurrent lesion. Studies nearly unanimously report postoperative mean conduction velocity improvement (30% when successful and 15% when unsuccessful), without normalization, regardless of preoperative clinical severity or type of surgery.…”

“…Postsurgical intervention for UNE, the specific surgery performed may indicate the underlying reasons for failure/recurrence 15–17 . Although motor nerve conduction across the elbow rarely normalizes postoperatively, worsening slowing of conduction velocity (compared with a preoperative study) raises concern for a persistent or recurrent lesion.…”