CUBITAL TUNNEL SYNDROME (ULNAR NEUROPATHY)

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a peripheral nerve compression syndrome that involves pressure or stretching of the ulnar nerve (also known as the “funny bone” nerve). It is an injury or irritation of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel at the elbow (a space of the dorsal medial elbow which allows passage of the ulnar nerve around the elbow).

This is also termed ulnar nerve entrapment and is the second most common compression neuropathy in the upper extremity after carpal tunnel syndrome.

CAUSES

1. Increased pressure – Direct pressure (like leaning the arm on an armrest) on the nerve can press the nerve, causing the arm and hand to ‘fall asleep.’
   2. Overstretching – Keeping the elbow bent for a long time can stretch the nerve. This can most commonly happen during sleep.
   3. Location – Sometimes, the ulnar nerve does not stay in its place and can snap back and forth over the bone with the movement of the elbow. Repeated snapping of the nerve can irritate the nerve.

SYMPTOMS : Cubital tunnel syndrome includes numbness and paresthesia along the ulnar nerve distribution (in the ring and little fingers and the ulnar aspect of the hand) and elbow pain.

In advanced stages, weakness of the intrinsic muscles of the hand and the flexors of the ring and little fingers may develop. Weakness interferes with pinch between the thumb and index finger and with hand grip.

main clinical manifestation of this type of compression is paresthesia (“pins and needles like sensation”) and sensory impairment.

HOMOEPATHY MANAGEMENT

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