However, unlike carpal tunnel syndrome, this condition responds well to physical therapy treatments such as nerve gliding exercises.
If the ulnar nerve gets compressed at the elbow, you could experience pain and numbness in your little finger, pinky finger and half of ring finger.
Stretching
The ulnar nerve travels through the cubital tunnel on the inner side of your elbow to reach your wrist and hand. If this nerve becomes irritated, stretched, or compressed, symptoms such as tingling/numbness in your pinky and ring fingers as well as pain at the inside of your elbow can occur; stretching and nerve gliding exercises may help relieve these symptoms – this condition is known as Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. Stretching exercises or nerve gliding exercises may provide temporary relief.
The elbow joint serves as a hub for many nerves and blood vessels, so its confines can quickly become congested as we bend and straighten our arms, exerting unnecessary strain on the ulnar nerve and increasing pressure on it as you do so. This problem may become compounded if working or playing sports require repetitive arm movement or prolonged bending of the elbow joint; in such instances your doctor may recommend wearing a padded elbow brace during sleep to prevent excessive bending of your elbow joint; alternatively try avoiding activities that irritate this nerve while using movement/ posture modifications to lower your risk factor and reduce your risk further.
Physical therapists can show you some easy and effective cubital tunnel exercises and stretches, including “nerve flossing”. This exercise stretches the ulnar nerve as it passes through both Guyon canal and cubital tunnel – specifically as it passes beneath medial epicondyle of elbow (medial epicondyle), through narrow spaces covered by thin tissue layers, under muscles of inner forearm, into hand.
To complete the exercise, first find a comfortable position and extend one arm in front of you, level with your shoulder, palm facing upward toward the ceiling and fingers curled downward then back toward extended position – do this repeatedly for 30 seconds until feeling an internal stretch in both forearm and elbow.
Repeat these exercises two sets of 10 twice daily to promote flexibility and relieve stiffness in your elbows. If any discomfort occurs while performing this stretching routine, discontinue it immediately and consult a physician for further evaluation and treatment options.
Strengthening
Your elbow muscles play a pivotal role in moving and supporting your arm, hand and fingers. If you are experiencing pain and numbness in your elbow, a physical therapist can devise an exercise program to strengthen surrounding muscles to lessen pressure on nerves and reduce pressure points in this region of the arm.
Your therapist will assist in identifying which activities cause your symptoms, suggesting activity modifications or taking a temporary break from these activities. They may also teach ways to modify your work environment to limit prolonged sitting or leaning on elbows; or instruct how to use tools properly at work so as not to bend your arm incorrectly.
Physical therapists can guide you through range-of-motion exercises designed to increase elbow and wrist flexibility and allow the ulnar nerve to move more freely. Such movements include extending your elbow outward and rotating wrist and finger upward. Any inflammation or adhesions anywhere along its path could restrict movement and become trapped within the cubital tunnel causing symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome.
If your therapist has determined that your ulnar nerve is irritated or compressed, they may suggest treatments such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and heat or ice to reduce inflammation. They might also suggest wearing an elbow splint while sleeping to keep it extended to alleviate compression on the ulnar nerve and relieve compression on it.
Your therapist can teach nerve gliding exercises to stretch and encourage the ulnar nerve, starting at its source in the neck and running down through Guyon’s canal and cubital tunnel to reach its endpoint in your hand. The ulnar nerve runs down from there onto the arm’s backside before entering through cubital tunnel into hand; from here it supplies sensation to pinky finger half and half ring finger, as well as controlling some grip muscles. Incorrect treatment, 50% to 88% of people experiencing discomfort in elbows, arms or hands respond well to conservative treatments; in these instances.
Relieving Pain
Nerve gliding exercises for both arm and hand may help ease cubital tunnel syndrome pain. This condition occurs when the ulnar nerve at the elbow becomes compressed or irritated due to prolonged periods with elbow bent, often leading to tingling, weakness and tingle sensation in forearm, palm and fingers – this condition worsens over time causing muscle wasting of hand muscles if untreated.
The ulnar nerve extends from the neck, down through the shoulder and arm, around the inside of the elbow into wrist and palm. It provides feeling to inner forearm and pinky finger areas as well as controls some gripping muscles in hands that help us grasp objects. When compressed at elbow, this nerve can cause tingling, numbness and weakness to fingers and hands that is most apparent when bending an elbow; its effects may come and go over time.
If you are experiencing symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome, your healthcare provider will likely perform tests to diagnose it. X-rays will often be taken of your elbow in order to rule out arthritis or bone spurs before conducting electromyography (EMG) or nerve conduction studies in order to evaluate how well forearm muscles controlled by the ulnar nerve are working and assess any damage done to them.
Physical therapists can assess and recommend treatment options, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen, elbow flexion and wrist extension stretches, splinting/bracing solutions such as heat/ice packs or compression sleeves, arm and hand exercises which stretch and strengthen surrounding muscles, or surgery in cases of persistent symptoms that exert too much pressure on the ulnar nerve.
Surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome involves exposing and manipulating or releasing any stretched, compressed, or irritated ulnar nerves causing symptoms to either move or relax – recovery may take months after this surgery and physical therapy will likely be needed afterwards.
Prevention
When the ulnar nerve crosses inside of your elbow (the “funny bone”) and becomes compressed from compression or prolonged pressure, symptoms may include sharp or stabbing sensations in your elbow, forearm, wrist or fingers or dull ache with intermittent sharp or stabbing sensations and even tingling or prickling sensations that come and go.
Many people develop cubital tunnel syndrome through excessively bending their elbow, such as typing or sleeping with arms resting on a chair arm for extended periods. This constant flexion or rubbing against the ulnar nerve can lead to inflammation and irritation resulting in cubital tunnel syndrome. Other possible causes may include blows to the elbow, repetitive flexing/extension movements at work/play or medical conditions like osteoarthritis/rheumatoid arthritis that narrow nerve tunnels.
Nerve gliding exercises can be an excellent way to avoid this condition from arising. These exercises work by moving the ulnar nerve through its passageways gradually, keeping it from tightening or becoming trapped in any one spot.
Physical therapists also offer education on movement and posture modifications that can prevent cubital tunnel syndrome as well as ergonomic training to make work or home activities more comfortable. This may mean learning how to position a computer monitor so it won’t force you to bend your elbow when typing or adapting tools at work so they won’t place excessive strain on the ulnar nerve.
If your symptoms are severe or do not respond to conservative treatments, surgery may be required. Your surgeon can perform one of two procedures during an operation; cubital tunnel release or ulnar nerve anterior transposition. These two processes open up the cubital tunnel to increase its size in order to relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve; or else move it from behind (medial epicondyle) of your elbow bump in front (ulnar nerve) so as to avoid cubital tunnel syndrome caused by this bump rubbing against this bump causing cubital tunnel syndrome.
