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Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

The ulnar nerve — the one behind the "funny bone" — runs through a narrow tunnel on the inside of the elbow. Compressed or irritated there, it produces pins and needles in the ring and little fingers, and eventually weakness in the hand. Caught early it responds well to changing what provokes it. Left long enough, the muscle wasting it causes may not fully recover, so it is worth acting on.

Related reading: the tendon problem beside it, the equivalent problem at the wrist and nerve symptoms coming from the neck.

What causes it

  • Prolonged or repeated elbow bending — phone use, sleeping with elbows folded
  • Leaning on the elbow on a desk or car door
  • A previous elbow fracture or dislocation
  • Swelling from an adjacent tendon problem narrowing the tunnel
  • Occupational vibration or repetitive elbow work

What you might notice

  • Pins and needles or numbness in the ring and little fingers
  • Symptoms worse at night or on waking, with the elbow bent
  • Aching along the inside of the forearm
  • Weakening grip, and difficulty splaying the fingers
  • In longstanding cases, visible wasting of the muscle between thumb and index finger

How we treat it

  • Identifying and changing the positions that compress the nerve, which is most of the work
  • A night splint to stop the elbow folding up during sleep
  • Nerve gliding exercises once irritability has settled
  • Manual therapy through the forearm and the neck, which can contribute
  • Strengthening the hand and forearm as symptoms improve
  • Prompt referral where there is weakness or muscle wasting

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Symptoms overlap between conditions, so the right treatment depends on an assessment. If your pain followed a significant injury, is getting worse, or comes with numbness, weakness or unexplained weight loss, please see your GP.

Nerve symptoms are worth acting on early

Pins and needles that come and go respond well. Weakness or wasting is a different conversation and needs seeing sooner rather than later.

Book a nerve assessment Ask a question first

Or call us on (08) 7008 7566 — we see patients across Seaton, Modbury and Stepney.

Other arm conditions we treat

Tennis Elbow Golfer's Elbow Biceps Tendinopathy Elbow Bursitis

Back to all arm conditions