Conservative Treatments
The main objective when addressing the compression of the ulnar nerve is to reduce the pressure being applied to the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel. This is done by avoiding excessive elbow flexion and extension and providing padding for the cubital tunnel.
Elbow pads are often provided to be worn with the padding positioned on the medial and back of the elbow to reduce any impact or pressure applied when either bumping into objects or resting the elbow on a table or chair. Splints are provided to keep the elbow around 60 degrees of flexion when sleeping to prevent excessive elbow flexion while sleeping. Heat, Ice, and ulnar nerve glides have also proven to be very successful in helping reduce inflammation at the cubital tunnel. It can take up to 6 weeks for symptoms to subside completely. If symptoms don’t improve, then the doctor might discuss surgical intervention.
Surgical Intervention
There are two surgical interventions for cubital tunnel syndrome. The most conservative option is similar to the carpal tunnel release. An incision is made on the posterior aspect of the elbow to remove pressure on the ulnar nerve. If the nerve doesn’t glide freely due to fascia build up sometime the ulnar nerve is moved from the posterior aspect of the elbow to the anterior aspect of the medial elbow. The nerve is secured by a piece of facia over the pronator mass. Elbow immobilization is required to ensure that the ulnar nerve doesn’t break free due to excessive flexion of the elbow. The more conservative cubital tunnel release is shown below.