Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Treatment in Kansas City

Based on the results of your interview, examination, and imaging studies, you can expect a custom care plan catered specifically to you.

Many people believe it’s best to wait until pain becomes severe, leading them to “put off” or delay treatments like elbow arthroscopy.

If you are in constant discomfort, have shooting or stabbing pains, have limited range of motion, or an inability to perform your daily activities, elbow arthroscopy may be right for you.

New technologies allow patients with elbow pain to fully recover and enjoy the benefits of a more functional, pain-free lifestyle.

Prior to surgery, you will typically receive at least 2 phone calls:

• A hospital registration representative will call to gather insurance and other personal information.
• A registered nurse will call to review your health history and medication information.

Dependent on your health history, your physician may require:

• Pre-surgical laboratory tests
• X-rays
• Primary care clearance

Pre-operative instructions will vary depending on your physician and the location of your surgery. Always check with your physician prior to surgery.

Most physicians require that patients not eat or drink after midnight prior to surgery the next day.

Additionally, you will need a designated family member or friend to drive you home on the day you are released from the hospital. Surgical patients cannot drive themselves home.

If you schedule your surgery with a KCOA physician, you can expect the following on surgery day: 

• A receptionist will check you in at the hospital registration desk.
• A nurse will take you back and prepare you for surgery. They will start an IV, prepare the surgical site, and review your medical history and medications.
• Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will visit with you prior to your operation.
• The surgical team will take you to the operation suite for surgery.

Cubital tunnel release is a surgical procedure that alleviates ulnar nerve issues. The procedure can either decompress the ulnar nerve by releasing some of the structures around the nerve itself, or by also transposing the nerve by completely removing it from its groove. This creates a new resting point in the soft tissue in front of the elbow.

Your surgeon will determine if an ulnar nerve transposition is necessary based on your elbow and hand function, the severity of your symptoms and after visualizing the nerve and cubital tunnel during the arthroscopy.

During a cubital tunnel release, you will remain under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a small incision along the course of the ulnar nerve, and opens the roof of the cubital tunnel to relieve pressure on the nerve.

Once they decompress the nerve, the surgeon takes the elbow through a range of motions to determine whether or not transposition is also necessary.

A transposition may be needed if the ulnar nerve remains unstable after pressure is relieved. In those cases, the surgeon will reposition the nerve from behind the bony bump on the inside of your elbow to the front of the elbow.

After your surgery, you will remain in the recovery room while our experienced clinical team monitors you, providing pain relief medication, if needed.

We will place your arm in a dressing and remove it during a subsequent follow-up appointment. You may also be placed in a sling or splint to protect the area.

You can expect swelling, soreness and bruising in your elbow for several days after surgery. The swelling and discoloration may also spread to your hand or lower arm.

It’s important to keep your arm elevated with an ice pack after surgery to reduce swelling and soreness.

Early motion is allowed after surgery, but you should not lift, push, or pull anything greater than a pencil for 6 weeks after surgery.

Overall recovery time varies by individual. It can take at least 2 to 3 months before you start to regain normal use of the extremity.

Physical therapy is often needed and starts 6 weeks after surgery. Improvement in the numbness can be immediate, but in some patients, it can take months to get better.

We recommend regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and monitoring your blood sugar levels if you’re diabetic.

In doing so, you may reduce the amount of stress on your joints to slow down any potential degenerative process.