Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Procedures - DFW Hand Surgeon Dr William Van Wyk
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Procedures - DFW Hand Surgeon Dr William Van Wyk

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Hand and Finger Procedures & Conditions | Dr. William Van Wyk, DFW Hand Surgeon

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Hand and Finger Procedures & Conditions | Dr. William Van Wyk, DFW Hand Surgeon

What many people call the “funny bone” really is a nerve. This ulnar nerve runs behind a bone in the elbow through a space called the “cubital tunnel” (Figure 1). Although “banging the funny bone” usually causes temporary symptoms, chronic pressure on or stretching of the nerve can affect the blood supply to the ulnar nerve, causing numbness or tingling in the ring and small fingers, pain in the forearm, and/or weakness in the hand. This is called “cubital tunnel syndrome.”

Causes of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

There are a few causes of this ulnar nerve problem. These include:

Pressure. Because the nerve runs through that “funny bone” groove and has little padding over it, direct pressure (like leaning your arm on an arm rest) can compress the nerve, causing your arm and hand—especially the ring and small fingers—to “fall asleep.”

Stretch. Keeping the elbow bent for a long time can stretch the nerve behind the elbow. This usually happens during sleep.

Anatomy. Sometimes, the ulnar nerve does not stay in its place and snaps back and forth over a bony bump as the elbow is moved. Repetitive snapping can irritate the nerve. Sometimes, the soft tissues over the nerve become thicker or there is an “extra” muscle over the nerve that can keep the nerve from working correctly.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome treatments by DFW Hand Surgeon William Van Wyk

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Photo Credit: InjuryMap, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Signs and Symptoms

Cubital tunnel syndrome can cause pain, loss of sensation, and/or tingling. “Pins and needles” usually are felt in the ring and small fingers. These symptoms are often felt when the elbow is kept bent for a long time, such as while holding a phone or while sleeping. Some people feel weak or clumsy. Loss of sensation and loss of strength or muscle in the hand is serious.

Diagnosis of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Your doctor will be able to tell a lot by asking you about your symptoms and examining you. S/he might test you for other medical problems like diabetes or thyroid disease. A test called electromyography (EMG) and/or nerve conduction study (NCS) might be needed to see how much the nerve and muscle are being affected. This test also checks for other problems like a pinched nerve in the neck, which can cause similar symptoms.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

The first treatment is to avoid actions that cause symptoms. Wrapping a pillow or towel around the elbow or wearing a splint at night to keep the elbow from bending during sleep can help. Avoiding leaning on the “funny bone” part of the elbow can help also. A hand therapist can help you learn ways to avoid pressure on the nerve.

Dr. Van Wyk confirms health insurance issues for you. - DFW Hand Surgeon Dr William Van Wyk
Dr. Van Wyk confirms health insurance issues for you. - DFW Hand Surgeon Dr William Van Wyk

Dr Van Wyk and his staff are the only ones who have Completed my Insurance/STD paperwork timely

Healthgrades Review, Nov 2, 2023

It starts with the Staff. His staff is excellent. 1) If there in office they Answer. 2) If its clinic day or there out, they got back to me timely. 3) No answering machine, an actual Answering Service who will text Dr or staff your issue. Dr Van Wyk was thorough with my exam, explained options and procedure process for each option. He scheduled me for additional tests to ensure his diagnosis. The staff even checked with the referred test center to make sure they took my insurance, something I have had issues with my other doctors’

offices lately which have caused delays in my heart test, hand and elbow surgeries and back surgery. The Heart doctor and my regular physician scheduled me for test with out of network clinics/specialists delaying all my procedures months. UNBELIEVABLE! But Dr VanWyks staff have worked w/me scheduling me ASAP in between the other Drs issues. Dr Van Wyk and his staff are the only ones who have Completed my Insurance/STD paperwork timely which has saved me losing benefits.    

When symptoms of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome are severe or not getting better, surgery may be needed to relieve the pressure on the nerve. This can involve releasing the nerve, moving the nerve to the front of the elbow, and/or removing a part of the bone. Your surgeon will talk to you about what is the right option for you and guide your care.
Therapy sometimes is needed after surgery, and the time it takes to recover varies. Numbness and tingling may improve quickly or slowly, and it may take many months for the strength in your hand to improve. Cubital tunnel symptoms may not totally go away after surgery, especially if symptoms are severe.

© 2012 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Developed by the ASSH Public Education Committee

Dr. William Van Wyk - Dallas-Fort Worth Hand Surgeon
Dr. William Van Wyk - Dallas-Fort Worth Hand Surgeon

Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon Specializing in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery in Fort Worth Since 1977

Dr. Van Wyk is a hand and upper extremity specialist actively practicing in Fort Worth since 1977. Dr. Van Wyk is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and has practiced in that specialty. He passed the added qualification in hand surgery exam and has limited his practice to 100% hand and upper extremity surgery.

In Dr. Van Wyk’s practice, upper extremity surgery refers to the elbow, forearm, wrist and hand. As a hand specialist, he sees approximately 300 hand patient visits per month and performs on average 90-100 surgical procedures per month. Dr.Van Wyk is a member of the American Society for Surgery the Hand, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Fort Worth-Dallas Hand Association, the American Medical Association, and the Tarrant County Medical Association.

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