I have Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
I finally know what I have, and I guess that’s something anyway.. now I just need to find ways to relieve it. This pain in my arm began in June, so I’ve been dealing with it for 5 months. It sounds like a long time, but for the most part, the pain has been more of an annoyance than anything. Some days here and there would find me complaining more about the pain as it intensified for one reason or another, but before I made the trek to the Doctor, I did my own research.
Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects the ulnar nerve, on the inside edge of the elbow. The symptoms feel similar to hitting your funny bone. When this area becomes irritated from injury or pressure, it can lead to cubital tunnel syndrome.
I found a lot of useful information at this site and being the visual-learner that I am, I found the drawings helpful too. I have links to a couple of other sites at the bottom of this post.
After reading it, it all clicked and made sense. It says: “Most people with this (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome) problem have a habit of sleeping with either their elbows bent, their arms up by their head, or both. These positions aggravate the problem. Over time, this can progressively irritate the nerve, resulting in numbness of the ring and small finger, weakness of some of the muscles of the hand and forearm, and pain.” Yes, I concur. I am one of those people that sleep on their bent arm. I need to train myself to sleep a new way now. I can do it (psyching myself up!). I just hope it’s not too late to fix.
If you are having this problem and found your way here, good for you! The quicker you learn about it and start taking steps to correct it, the better! You know something funny though, this “Cubital Tunnel Syndrome” is also known as “Cell Phone Elbow”.
Okay, I have to go apply some topical analgesic and take some ibuprofen.
Until later, here are a couple more site I hope help you out too:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulnar_nerve_entrapment
http://www.handuniversity.com/topics.asp?Topic_ID=8
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[...] in October, I posted information about some pain I was experiencing and researched. Cubital tunnel syndrome is what I diagnosed myself with, and unfortunately am still dealing with. It got worse in [...]
This has got to be good news at some level – just knowing what it is and what you can do to fix it. Sorry you have the pain, though. I just don’t get the “cell phone elbow” connection . . .
So sorry to learn you’ve been suffering from this malady. I’d never heard of it before, but it sounds like it’s uncomfortable and even painful at times. Thanks for the education and, hopefully, you can reverse the symptoms and get some relief soon!
So sorry to hear about your cubital tunnel syndrome. Unfortunately I can relate (symptoms for 3 years, one ulnar decompression surgery and possibly facing another).
If you are interested, here is a website and forums dedicated to CuTS:
http://www.cubital-tunnel.com/forums
Good luck
I’ve heard of carpal tunnel syndrome but not of cubital tunnel syndrome. How does one develop it? It’s a good thing you know instead of going for a LONG time without knowing–or worst yet–being misdiagnosed and taking the wrong medication.
Beverly, like Carpal tunnel syndrome, Cubital tunnel syndrome can develop from the nerves being compressed. The Carpal/Cubital difference refers to the nerves. In Cubital, it’s the ulnar nerve that is being affected and pain is felt in the forearm. With Carpal, it’s the median nerve that is affected, and pain is felt in the wrist area.
Thanks to everyone for your responses and thoughtful words.
Karlyn
Does computer time hurt the arm? Will PT help? Hope you feel better.
See if you can find a Doc that is a DO who manipulates.