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Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Essay

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Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects the ulnar nerve in the arm. The ulnar nerve runs along the medial portion of the arm, behind the medial epicondyle of the humerus, and down into the hand where it innervates the fifth digit and the medial half of the fourth digit, as well as controlling most of the little muscles for fine movement in the hand and larger muscles in the forearm used for grip strength (The American Center for Spine and Neurosurgery [ACSN], 2015). The ulnar nerve can become compressed in several locations as it travels down the arm from the neck, such as beneath the collarbone, at the elbow, or at the wrist. When this compression occurs at the elbow, is referred to as cubital tunnel syndrome. The ulnar nerve at the elbow is commonly referred to as your “funny bone”, but those who have had the pleasure of hitting it know that it is not funny. …show more content…

Symptoms can vary from patient to patient depending on the severity of the compression (ACSN, 2015). Paresthesia, the ‘pins and needles’ feeling, in the fourth and fifth digit and pain at the elbow are the most common signs of cubital tunnel syndrome. Grip strength may also decrease as the condition worsens along with muscle atrophy in the hand. The patients might have a positive Tinel sign, which is tested by simply tapping on the ulnar nerve and seeing if the sensation of tingling or “pins and needles” is reproduced. The Wartenberg sign is positive if the patient is unable to abduct the fifth digit to the rest of the hand. This shows that there is weakness in the ulnar innervated intrinsic muscles of the hand (Guardia, Berman, & Lorenzo,

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