Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Is More Common Than You Think

You probably hear a lot of people talk about carpal tunnel syndrome, an extremely common issue that anyone who works with their hands is at risk of experiencing. But what about cubital tunnel syndrome? Is it as common as carpal tunnel? And why does it occur?

In truth, cubital tunnel syndrome is more common than you think, and if you’re not careful, the problem could sneak up on you. Consider the causes and symptoms of this condition so you can protect yourself from it in the long term.

At Texas Health Care’s Bone and Joint Clinic, we take hand and arm pain seriously. And while many patients assume carpal tunnel is the culprit when they experience these symptoms, there are a host of other problems that could be at work, one of which is the surprisingly common cubital tunnel syndrome.

Cubital tunnel syndrome: What it is and what it feels like

Cubital tunnel syndrome isn’t as feared as carpal tunnel, but it is the second most common instance of nerve damage in the upper extremities. It occurs because the ulnar nerve — that is, the nerve running through the inner part of the elbow — isn’t protected by padding like the nerves in many other parts of the body. As such, compressing this nerve can cause serious problems.

When you experience cubital tunnel syndrome, your elbow or forearm might hurt, especially whenever you put pressure on your elbow. You might also notice numbness or tingling, but this occurs in the hand, specifically on the side of the ring and pinky fingers. These are telltale signs that you’re dealing with cubital tunnel rather than carpal tunnel.

Why this condition is sneakily common

People who work in jobs that involve sitting at a desk and typing on a computer will think about wrist or hand safety before they ever consider their elbows. They might purchase an ergonomic wrist rest for their keyboard, and then press their elbows against the hard surface of their desks. They might also fail to notice when pain or numbness occurs, specifically as a result.

In addition, the posture we’ve all adopted while bending over our smartphones is affecting our elbows. Keeping the elbows bent for long periods can exacerbate or even cause cubital tunnel syndrome, and if you’re looking at your phone as much as the average adult, you could be at risk of developing this condition.

Finally, side sleepers who bend their elbows to stretch their arms under their pillows are at risk, too. If you’re guilty of any of these three common practices, and especially if all three are familiar to you, there’s a very good chance that cubital tunnel syndrome could be in your future.

I’ve been diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome: Now what?

If you’ve already been diagnosed with the condition, what happens now? Reversing the effects may not be possible, but you can certainly manage the condition with several nonsurgical options, such as physical therapy, splinting your arm at night to avoid bending your elbow, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDs.

In some severe cases, surgery may be necessary. But this depends highly on your specific situation as well as your provider’s opinions. The best way to find the specialized treatment that’s best suited to you is to visit a clinic like ours.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Is More Common Than You Think

Cubital tunnel syndrome: What it is and what it feels like

Why this condition is sneakily common

I’ve been diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome: Now what?

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