47 - Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract

Cubital tunnel syndrome is an uncommon cause of lateral forearm pain and weakness that can be quite distressing to the patient. This entrapment neuropathy manifests as pain and associated paresthesias in the lateral forearm that radiates to the wrist and ring and little fingers. The symptoms are often aggravated by prolonged flexion of the elbow. The pain of cubital tunnel syndrome has been characterized as unpleasant and dysesthetic. The onset of symptoms is usually after repetitive elbow motions or from repeated pressure on the elbow, such as using the elbows to arise from bed. Direct trauma to the ulnar nerve as it enters the cubital tunnel may result in a similar clinical presentation as can compression of the ulnar nerve as it travels thtough the cubital tunnel.(Fig. 47.1) Untreated, progressive motor deficit and ultimately flexion contracture of the affected fingers can result. Cubital tunnel syndrome is most often caused by compression of the ulnar nerve by an aponeurotic band that runs from the medial epicondyle of the humerus to the medial border of the olecranon.