Elbow Pain and Forearm Radiating Pain

• Does your friend or family member have pain or tingling in their ring and pinky finger when they bend their elbow? Do those fingers often fall asleep on them? If either of those statements are true there is a chance that they have Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. This is caused from an irritation of the ulnar nerve as it is being entrapped in the cubital tunnel.

• If you do not know the common clinical findings no problem! Click here

Anatomy

Image via Complete Anatomy 2018 by 3D4 Medical

Special Test

A common test to check if your patient has Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is the elbow flexion test. This test puts the ulnar nerve on tension and has the ability to reproduce symptoms. In addition to this test it is also important that you make sure to check all of the other entrapment sites for the ulnar nerve.  (Click image to watch 1-2 minute video)

Treatment

Once the entrapment site is found manual therapy is a good choice to work on mobility in the area. Make sure to watch the video above to figure out how to help your patient! (Click image to watch 1-2 minute video)

Therapeutic Exercise

Once you have worked on the entrapment site it is important to get the nerves moving again. This can be done through nerve sliders. Once the patient has mastered sliders, is not irritable, and only has pain at or near end range make sure to progress them to tensioners! (Click image to watch 1-2 minute video)