In
many cases, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is
a Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) that
occurs when the ulnar nerve becomes impinged
at or below the elbow joint. The ulnar
nerve is responsible for mediating muscle
movement in the forearm and hand, and
consequently, damage to the nerve undermines
functioning throughout the arm, wrist,
hand and fingers.
Symptoms of Cubital Tunnel
Syndrome:
Signs and symptoms
of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome are characterized by numbness,
pain, loss of grip-strength and tingling
in the ring and pinkie fingers. Although
potentially debilitating, the condition
can be quite responsive to early intervention
and treatment.
Causes of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome:
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is usually
caused by two situations: The first
being overly tight, restrictive flexor
muscles impinging the nerve directly,
and the second, by the shifting of
the elbow joint, causing impingement
of the nerve within the joint itself.
- Muscle Impingement: In
this situation, the forearm flexor
muscles originating at the medial
epicondyle run the length of the
forearm to the wrist, hand and fingers,
with the ulnar nerve lying beneath. As
the flexor group becomes hypertonic
(tight) from repetitive overuse,
it compresses the ulnar nerve 1-2" below
the medial epicondyle where the flexor
group is quite large and prominent.
These tight muscles not only compress
the ulnar nerve, but also restrict
blood flow.
- Joint Impingement:
Although this injury is a joint imbalance,
it is still the result of a muscle
imbalance, due to the flexor muscle
group being overly hypertonic, causing
a shifting of the joint which pulls
the elbow joint off-center and impinges
the ulnar nerve within the Cubital
tunnel. (Same area as the “funny
bone”)
The tasks that most often cause this
disorder usually involve a lot of grasping;
for example, using hand tools like
hammers and power tools or working
at a desk and using a keyboard and
mouse. Another factor for those working
at a desk is the pressure on the elbow
joint from resting the elbow/forearm
on the hard surface of the desk. In
this case, use of a soft towel underneath
the elbow can provide significant relief.
Treatment of Cubital Tunnel
Syndrome:
Rest may be helpful for providing temporary
relief; however, it is unlikely to
provide long-term relief. Cortisone
is another treatment that may provide
temporary relief, but with poor long-term
success. Surgery is also an option,
with the attempt to re-route the ulnar
nerve. The outcome of this procedure
has poor success and is very painful.
Optimally, treatment should be conservative,
addressing both the strong and weak
musculature that is involved.
Current information from leading medical
experts suggest that strengthening
and stretching Flextend
exercises can
assist in eliminating the muscle imbalance
that exists in and around the elbow
joint, correcting the muscle imbalance
and creating equal tension between
the agonist and antagonist muscle groups.
This eliminates the compression of
the ulnar nerve beneath the flexor
group or within the offset elbow joint
caused by the hypertonic flexors and
restores balance, support and provides
a safe, effective way to eliminate
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome altogether.
Author: Jeff P. Anliker, LMT, BD
