Cubital Tunnel Surgery

http://www.handandwristinstitute.com/... - Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a space at the inside of the elbow, Cubital Tunnel, where the ulnar nerve passes alongside the humerus, or funny bone. In fact, the ulnar nerve is actually responsible for the sensation commonly referred to as the funny bone, and not the bone at all. The ulnar nerve is a centrally important nerve to the arm, and provides both use and sensation, so when it is compressed within the Cubital Tunnel, its effectiveness and use can be hampered by this interruption.

Splinting and medication are the only really effective non-surgical treatments for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, and even then are only effective in patients with mild and intermittent symptoms. NSAIDs to control inflammation will lessen the degree to which the nerve is entrapped in the tunnel. The use of a Pil-O brace when sleeping holding the elbow extended or straight may reduce symptoms or an elbow pad during the day when resting the elbow on hard objects may alleviate direct pressure

When and if non-surgical attempts to treat Cubital Tunnel Syndrome prove ineffective, surgery is most likely the only option. In this case, there are several possible surgeries that your doctor may suggest, depending on the specifics of your case.

There are several standard procedures that may be done to alleviate the compression. Ulnar nerve decompression with medial epicondylectomy releases the tunnel and then removes part of the funny bone or medial epicondyle. Anterior transposition procedures may also be employed, either with subcutaneous (over the muscle) or submuscular (beneath the muscle) placement of the nerve. When the nerve is transposed care must be taken to move the blood supply with the nerve to keep adequate circulation to the nerve. A submuscular transposition is frequently recommended for elite overhead athletes to put the nerve in a more protective position. Some surgeons perform an endoscopic ulnar nerve decompression procedure, which releases the nerve only. The concern with this procedure is it may not release other sources of compression and the incision is not much smaller than the more traditional procedures.

After surgery, you will be placed in a splint for a length of time determined by your surgery (10 days for the epicondylectomy and up to 3 weeks for the transposition procedures), after which time hand therapy will be necessary to restore full function.