Reasons
Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common type of tunnel neuropathies of the upper extremity (the first is carpal tunnel syndrome).
The most common cause of this syndrome is regular “microtrauma” at the site of the ulnar nerve passing through the elbow joint area.
This can occur due to prolonged pressure on the joint from being in a monotonous position, for example:
- during a long telephone conversation,
- when resting your hand on the tabletop,
- or if the driver has a habit of sticking his hand out the window while driving the vehicle.
Symptoms
Factors that increase the risk of developing the syndrome include a high frequency of flexion movements in the elbow joint:
- working with levers,
- raising hands,
- pulling movements in the upper limb,
- compression of the elbow area while working on a factory machine,
Events
With cubital tunnel syndrome, a person complains of:
- for numbness and paresthesia (sensation of “crawling ants”) in the area of the elbow on the back of the hand;
- numbness in the little finger and ring finger, as well as impaired bending;
- pain in the elbow area that worsens in cold weather;
- Weakness and atrophy (shrinkage) of small muscles also appear, with the hand taking on the shape of a “claw-like bird’s paw.”
Treatment
At the initial stage of treatment, the patient is prescribed conservative therapy, which includes:
- physiotherapy,
- therapeutic immobilization (fixation) of the limb,
- blockade with corticosteroid hormones .
Surgical intervention
The following types of surgical interventions are performed in the surgical treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome:
- Neurolysis – under an operating microscope, the nerve is freed from compressing tissues – scars, adhesions, hypertrophied ligaments, etc., through a relatively small (up to several centimeters) incision.
- Moving the nerve trunk from the rigid bone-fibrous canal into a looser soft tissue “bed” – into the cubital fossa.
- Installation of electrodes for nerve trunk stimulation – this intervention can be combined with the above. An electrode installed epineurally allows for direct stimulation of the nerve, which significantly improves the results of restoring its functions.
All types of surgical treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome are constantly used in the work of the neurosurgical department of the KNP. Our hospital has a full range of medical and diagnostic capabilities for the correct and safe treatment of this disease.
Neurosurgeon Borblyk E.V.
