Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2018 Aug 16;15(3):832-836.
doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2018.08.010. eCollection 2018 Sep.

Cubital tunnel syndrome: Anatomy, clinical presentation, and management

Kyle Andrews  1 , Andrea Rowland  1 , Ankur Pranjal  1 , Nabil Ebraheim  1
Affiliations
Review

Cubital tunnel syndrome: Anatomy, clinical presentation, and management

Kyle Andrews et al. J Orthop. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common peripheral nerve compression seen by hand surgeons. A thorough understanding of the ulnar nerve anatomy and common sites of compression are required to determine the cause of the neuropathy and proper treatment. Recognizing the various clinical presentations of ulnar nerve compression can guide the surgeon to choose examination tests that aid in localizing the site of compression. Diagnostic studies such as radiographs and electromyography can aid in diagnosis. Conservative management with bracing is typically trialed first. Surgical decompression with or without ulnar nerve transposition is the mainstay of surgical treatment. This article provides a review of the ulnar nerve anatomy, clinical presentation, diagnostic studies, and treatment options for management of cubital tunnel syndrome.

Keywords: Brachial plexus compression; Cubital tunnel syndrome; Medial epicondylectomy; Thoracic outlet syndrome; Ulnar nerve decompression.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schematic of the major structures the ulnar nerve traverses through the arm.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Major sites of compression are the (a) arcade of Struthers, (b) the Osborne ligament (cubital retinaculum), and (c) the arcade of Osborne between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Claw hand deformity resulted from ulnar nerve damage.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Froment's sign is positive when the adductor pollicis muscle fails, resulting in thumb interphalangeal (IP) joint flexion.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
In situ ulnar nerve decompression.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Bozentka D.J. Cubital tunnel syndrome pathophysiology. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1998;(351):90–94. - PubMed
    1. Robertson C., Saratsiotis J. A review of compressive ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. J Manip Physiol Ther. 2005;28(5):345. - PubMed
    1. Karatas A., Apaydin N., Uz A., Tubbs R., Loukas M., Gezen F. Regional anatomic structures of the elbow that may potentially compress the ulnar nerve. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2009;18(4):627–631. - PubMed
    1. Folberg C.R., Weiss A.P., Akelman E. Cubital tunnel syndrome. Part I: presentation and diagnosis. Orthop Rev. 1994;23(2):136–144. - PubMed
    1. Norkus S.A., Meyers M.C. Ulnar neuropathy of the elbow. Sports Med. 1994;17(3):189–199. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources