Cubital tunnel syndrome is pinching of the ulnar nerve at the elbow (right at your “funny bone”). Carpal tunnel syndrome is the pinching of the median nerve at the wrist.
Both syndromes make fingers tingle and ache. With cubital, it is the small and ring fingers. With carpal, it is the thumb, index, long and ring fingers.
Initial treatment is night bracing. If the pain wakes you up at night more than 3 times a month, surgery is recommended. I recommend mini surgeries.
My cubital tunnel surgery uses a 2-inch incision at the elbow that leaves the nerve in its normal position where it has the best blood supply. My carpal tunnel surgery uses two 3/8-inch incisions.
Both procedures are “surgery Friday, back to desk work Monday, construction work in six to 10 weeks.”
Walker Wynkoop, M.D., lives in Los Banos and is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with 30 years of experience. He works at Surgical Affiliates of California. Please email questions to Doc@Wynmd.com.
