Cubital Tunnel Release FAQs
What is cubital tunnel syndrome?
Cubital tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the forearm and hand(little finger and tip of ring finger). The condition occurs when one of the major nerves of the arm, the ulnar nerve, is entrapped at the elbow.
How do I know if I need cubital tunnel surgery?
If pressure on the ulnar nerve continues it can lead to nerve damage and worsening symptoms. To prevent permanent damage, surgery to take pressure off the ulnar nerve may be necessary. The recommendation to proceed with surgery is based on a variety of factors including surgeon recommendation, overall health, as well as failure of conservative treatment. Electromyogram and Nerve Conduction Studies will help measure how well your ulnar nerve is working and help determine whether there is too much pressure on the nerve. The tests will also help determine whether you have another nerve condition, such as neuropathy, or other sites of nerve compression that might be contributing to your symptoms. We believe all of your questions and concerns should be addressed before surgery so that you are comfortable with your decision.
What are the risks of cubital tunnel surgery?
Risks of surgery include blood clots (DVT/pulmonary embolism), bleeding, infection which can require reoperation, damage to nerves or blood vessels. Other risks include potential anesthesia complications such as heart, lung, kidney, liver, or brain damage.
How is my surgery scheduled?
If Dr. Wilson has recommended surgery and you have consented, you will be contacted by one of our surgery schedulers, and a date for your surgery will be set. The time of day your surgery occurs is based on many factors and if you have a specific need or request please let them know. Our surgery scheduler will coordinate insurance authorizations, specialist referrals, and post-operative therapy as well as follow-up office appointments. They will contact you several days before surgery to inform you what time to arrive for your procedure.
What will I do on the day of surgery?
You may use the free valet parking if desired and signage is marked throughout hospital grounds. You will present to the outpatient surgery desk on the second floor of the hospital where you will check in. They will verify your identification and update any insurance/billing issues and you will be taken back to a private room where nursing staff will prepare you for surgery. Your family may not accompany you initially but may be allowed to come to your room once you are deemed ready by the nursing staff. Dr. Wilson and/or his Physician Assistant Adam will see you before your surgery and answer any final questions you might have. Your family/friends will wait in the outpatient surgery lobby while you are in surgery. Dr. Wilson will call your designated contact upon completion of the surgery to inform . You will not be allowed to drive home from the hospital and will need to arrange private transportation.
How long will my surgery take and how long will I be in the hospital?
Carpal tunnel surgery is a short procedure which will take approximately 5-10 minutes, but is most commonly performed under general anesthesia. Upon leaving the operating suite you will be taken to the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) for 1-2 hours until you are ready for discharge home.
Pain is a subjective measure that each individual experiences differently. Pain control requires a multimodal approach and may include preoperative nerve blocks, intraoperative local anesthesia, and postoperative oral pain medication. If you have an allergy or intolerance to specific medications this should be mentioned before your surgery. You will be given a prescription for pain medication as outlined in full detail in the attached portion of this packet regarding our office’s policy on prescribing of narcotics. You will be expected to decrease your narcotic use quickly in the postoperative period. Dr. Wilson will not prescribe any narcotics greater than four weeks post-op and if pain control is still an issue a referral to a pain management specialist may be required.
How long is my recovery?
Grip and pinch strength usually returns by about 2 to 3 months after surgery. If the condition of your ulnar nerve was poor before surgery, however, grip and pinch strength may not improve for 6 to 12 months. Driving, self-care activities, and light lifting and gripping are permitted soon after surgery. Return to work is based upon your profession and workplace demands. Someone with a sedentary or office job often can often return after only a few days. If you have a physically demanding job 6-8 weeks of leave may be necessary.
What else can I do to prepare for surgery?
We ask that you enroll in MyChart prior to your surgery in order to provide a more efficient and effective means of communicating with our office. Our staff will be happy to help you enroll. You may be required to have medical clearance for your surgery based upon your past medical history. This may entail encounters with your primary care provider or other specialists (cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinology, etc.) to ensure you are optimized for surgery. Several tests, such as blood and urine samples, and EKG may be necessary. Your functionality will be decreased after surgery and preparing your home is helpful to reduce risks of injury or complication. You may need assistance with daily activities including bathing, cooking, shopping, and laundry.
Where can I find additional reliable information about my surgery?
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons has a very informative and easy to navigate webpage including pamphlets and videos about your procedure. You may visit www.orthoinfo.org