Ulnar nerve anterior transposition
Answers for your symptoms
A thorough, specialist assessment
Your consultant will take the time to understand any changes in feeling or strength and how they are affecting your hand and everyday life.
A clear way forward
Understand your options
You’ll receive straightforward advice about your diagnosis, the treatments available and whether surgery could be the right next step for you.
Care built around you
Support throughout your recovery
Your care and rehabilitation will reflect your symptoms and personal goals, helping you return to everyday activities with confidence.
Ulnar nerve anterior transposition overview
If you’re experiencing changes in feeling or weakness in your hand, it could be caused by pressure on the ulnar nerve at your elbow. Ulnar nerve anterior transposition is an operation that relieves this pressure by moving the nerve to a more protected position. The ulnar nerve is the one many people associate with the sharp, tingling sensation you feel when you knock your ‘funny bone’. It provides feeling to your little finger and part of your ring finger, and controls some of the muscles that help you grip and make small, precise hand movements. When the nerve becomes trapped at the elbow, the condition is called cubital tunnel syndrome. Cubital tunnel syndrome can often be managed without surgery at first. Your consultant may recommend activity changes, a night splint or guided exercises to reduce pressure on the nerve. However, if these measures haven't helped, or if the nerve has become more severely compressed, surgery may be recommended. During ulnar nerve anterior transposition, your surgeon carefully moves the nerve on the inside of your elbow to a new position at the front of the joint. This reduces pressure on the nerve and helps prevent it from being pulled tightly when you bend your elbow.
How is surgery carried out?
Ulnar nerve anterior transposition is usually performed under a general anaesthetic, which means you’ll be asleep throughout the operation. In some cases, it can be carried out using a regional anaesthetic, which numbs your arm. Your surgical team will explain both approaches and recommend the most suitable one for you.
During the operation, your surgeon will make a cut along the inner side of your elbow and carefully release the nerve from any tissue pressing on it. They’ll then move the nerve to a new position on the inside of the elbow. This allows the ulnar nerve to follow a more direct path without being pulled tightly when you bend your arm. The nerve may sit just beneath the skin or deeper under a muscle, depending on the approach your surgeon recommends.
Once the operation is complete, the incision is closed and covered with a protective dressing. Most people can go home the same day, once your care team has checked that you’re comfortable and recovering well.
Are there any risks?
Like all surgeries, ulnar nerve anterior transposition carries some risks, although serious complications are uncommon.
Possible risks include:
- Infection or problems with wound healing
- Bleeding or bruising
- Swelling around the elbow
- Tenderness or numbness around the scar
- Stiffness as your elbow recovers
- Symptoms that improve more slowly than expected or don’t fully settle
- Damage to the ulnar nerve or nearby nerves, which is rare
- CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome), a rare condition that can cause long-lasting pain and swelling
Nerves recover slowly, so it can take time to notice the full benefit of surgery. If the nerve has been under pressure for a long time or has been severely affected, recovery may be more limited.
One of the main aims of surgery is to prevent further damage as well as improve symptoms where possible. Your consultant will explain what you can realistically expect based on your individual circumstances before you decide to go ahead.
Recovery from ulnar nerve anterior transposition
Protecting your elbow
During the first couple of weeks, it’s important to follow your wound care advice. Avoid putting pressure on your elbow, while gently moving your hand and fingers as recommended.
Restoring movement
As your comfort and movement improve, you can gradually return to more of your usual activities. A physiotherapist or hand therapist may support your recovery if needed.
Allowing the nerve to recover
Feeling and strength can continue to improve over many months, and sometimes longer. If the nerve was severely affected, some symptoms may not fully resolve.
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.
Ulnar nerve anterior transposition FAQs
Ulnar nerve anterior transposition usually takes under an hour, although the exact length of the procedure will depend on the approach your surgeon recommends.
Most people can go home later the same day. Before you leave, your care team will check that you’re recovering well and have the information you need for your recovery at home.
You can start driving once you’re able to control your vehicle safely and perform an emergency stop without discomfort or restricted movement. Your consultant will advise you when it’s safe to return to driving based on your recovery.
This will depend on the type of work you do and how your recovery is progressing. If you have a desk-based role, you may be able to return sooner than someone whose job involves heavy lifting or repeated arm movements.
Surgery aims to relieve pressure on the nerve, improve symptoms and help prevent further nerve damage. Feeling and strength often improve gradually because nerves recover slowly.
If the nerve has been compressed for a long time before surgery, some symptoms may not fully resolve. Your consultant will explain what you can realistically expect before your procedure.
Find a clinic near you
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.
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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.
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If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
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- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
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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.
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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
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