Nerve entrapment
Nerve entrapment at the elbow, commonly known as cubital tunnel syndrome, occurs when the ulnar nerve becomes compressed or irritated as it passes through the elbow joint.
Nerve entrapment overview
The ulnar nerve is one of the main nerves in the arm, traveling from your neck down to your hand. As it passes the elbow, it travels through a narrow space called the cubital tunnel, commonly known as the area of the ‘funny bone’. Because this tunnel is narrow with very little tissue to protect the nerve, it can easily become compressed or stretched. Bending the elbow for prolonged periods (such as while sleeping or holding a phone) or performing repetitive bending movements (such as during tennis or golf) puts extra pressure on the nerve. Left untreated, chronic compression can lead to persistent numbness, weakness, and loss of hand function.
What are the symptoms?
- Numbness or a ‘pins and needles’ sensation in the little finger and the outer half of the ring finger
- Weakness when gripping or manipulating small objects
- A dull ache or pain along the inside of the elbow
- Difficulty with fine motor tasks, such as typing or buttoning a shirt
How is nerve entrapment diagnosed?
Diagnosing cubital tunnel syndrome involves a comprehensive clinical examination by your consultant, who will assess sensation in your hand, check for muscle weakness, and test for nerve sensitivity around the elbow.
To confirm the diagnosis and measure how well signals are traveling along the nerve, nerve conduction studies or an electromyography (EMG) test may be arranged. These tests also help rule out other potential causes, such as a pinched nerve in the neck (cervical radiculopathy).
Are there any risks?
Complications from ulnar nerve decompression or transposition are generally low, but potential risks include:
- Incomplete relief of symptoms, particularly if the nerve was severely compressed before surgery
- Slow recovery of nerve function (nerves heal gradually over many months)
- Irritation, numbness, or tenderness around the surgical scar
- Infection around the incision site
- Persistent instability or shifting of the nerve (if transposed)
- The need for further revision surgery
Your specialist will discuss all potential risks with you in detail prior to treatment.
Treatment routes for Nerve Entrapment
For mild to moderate symptoms, modifying daily activities is often effective. This includes avoiding prolonged elbow bending, making ergonomic adjustments at work, and wearing a supportive night splint to keep the arm straight while sleeping.
Recovery from nerve entrapment surgery
Rest and wound healing
Your arm will be protected in a bandage, splint, or sling. Keep your dressings clean and dry, and focus on gentle finger and wrist movements to promote circulation and prevent stiffness.
Restoring mobility
Your wounds will be checked and any stitches removed. Under physical therapy guidance, you will begin gentle elbow range-of-motion exercises and neural gliding techniques to help the nerve slide smoothly.
Strengthening and activity return
As nerve sensitivity settles, progressive strengthening exercises for the forearm and hand are introduced. Most non-manual, daily tasks can be comfortably resumed during this stage.
Full recovery and nerve regeneration
Nerves heal slowly, often at a rate of around 1mm per day. Sensation and muscle strength in the hand will continue to improve over several months following surgery.
Working with elbow professionals and teams
Our elbow specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their elbows. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Elbow treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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