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Cubital Tunnel Syndrome and Other Ulnar Neuropathies

Brock A Benedict, D.O. Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Compression of the ulnar nerve on the medial aspect of the elbow where it enters the cubital tunnel results in cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS). Elbow pain, loss of grip strength, and ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Nocturnal elbow pain; medial elbow pain

  • Paresthesias along medial forearm, wrist, and 4th and 5th digits

  • Paresthesias: intermittent at first then more constant

  • History of elbow trauma

  • Rep...

TREATMENT

  • Mild CuTS can often be treated with NSAIDs and activity modification. If that fails, next consider corticosteroid injection. Consider surgery if no resolution after 3 months.

  • Moderate to seve...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • In severe cases, the nerve damage may be permanent.

  • Patients with symptoms lasting >6 months have a worse prognosis.

DIET

No restrictions 

PATIENT EDUCATION

REFERENCES

1
Osei  DA, Groves  AP, Bommarito  K, et al. Cubital tunnel syndrome: incidence and demographics in a national administrative database. Neurosurgery. ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Buntragulpoontawee M, Chang KV, Vitoonpong T, et al. The effectiveness and safety of commonly used injectates for ultrasound-guided hydrodissection treatment of periphera...

SEE ALSO

Epicondylitis 

CODES

ICD10

  • G56.20 Lesion of ulnar nerve, unspecified upper limb

  • G56.22 Lesion of ulnar nerve, left upper limb

  • G56.21 Lesion of ulnar nerve, right upper limb

  • S54.00XA Injury of ulnar nerve at forearm leve...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Compression of the ulnar nerve on the medial aspect of the elbow where it enters the cubital tunnel results in cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS).

  • Medial elbow pain, loss of grip strength,...

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