Ulnar Nerve Decompression Surgery in Houston
If you’ve ever banged the “funny bone” of your elbow against a hard object, you probably found nothing amusing about the numbness, tingling, or other unpleasant sensations running down your forearm to your little finger. If the ulnar nerve responsible for relaying these signals gets pinched or trapped by surrounding structures, you may suffer chronic symptoms that affect both comfort and function. That’s when you should look into ulnar nerve decompression surgery in Houston.
What Is Ulnar Nerve Decompression Surgery?
Ulnar nerve decompression surgery is a technique for taking pressure off a nerve that runs from your upper arm through your elbow and wrist. This nerve, the ulnar nerve, relays motor and sensation signals to/from the little finger. By removing some of the tissue that pinches this nerve, surgeons can restore normal nerve function, relieving you of discomfort and/or muscle weakness in the areas served by the nerve.
What Does Ulnar Nerve Decompression Treat?
This form of surgery treats a problem known as ulnar nerve entrapment. This nerve entrapment most commonly occurs in a structure known as the cubital tunnel. The ulnar nerve runs through a narrow passage in the elbow, near bony projections called epicondyles. It is also surrounded by fascia, ligaments, and muscles.
When any of these structures apply pressure to the ulnar nerve, the nerve can fail to function correctly, leading to multiple symptoms collectively referred to as cubital tunnel syndrome. Ulnar nerve decompression surgery to relieve that pressure can therefore successfully treat:
Hand or elbow pain – Cubital tunnel syndrome can produce chronic pain in the hand and/or elbow. Ulnar nerve decompression can remove the pain by creating more free space around the nerve.- Numbness and tingling – Ulnar nerve entrapment can cause numbness or tingling in your hand or little finger. By relieving the trapped section of the nerve, decompression surgery can help restore normal sensation.
- Muscle weakness – If you’ve lost some grip strength, muscle mass, or muscle control in your hand or forearm, nerve entrapment may have shut off the normal flow of motor signals to the muscles in question. Ulnar nerve decompression surgery can free the nerve to send those commands to the arm and hand more normally, although you may still need to rehabilitate atrophied muscles.
What to Expect During the Surgery
Traditional ulnar nerve compression surgery requires an incision of several inches. However, modern endoscopic surgery can achieve the same results with a tiny, two-centimeter cut. You’ll receive a nerve block or local anesthetic instead of general anesthesia before undergoing an endoscopic ulnar nerve compression procedure.
After making the elbow incision and using a retractor to move other nerves out of the way, your surgeon will insert a tube-like device called an endoscope. The endoscope contains a miniature, illuminated video camera that permits a clear view of the ulnar nerve’s position in the cubital tunnel. The surgeon will then cut some of the tissue that makes up the cubital tunnel wall, freeing the trapped ulnar nerve.
If your ulnar nerve routinely gets compressed when you use your elbow, your surgeon may perform ulnar nerve transposition surgery instead. This surgery involves relocating the nerve so banding the elbow won’t pinch it.
You can go home the same day of your surgery. However, while the surgery site heals relatively quickly, the nerve itself may need weeks or months of recuperation time.
Let NW Surgery Help You
You’ll find the solution to your ulnar nerve entrapment problem here at NW Surgery, Houston’s oldest and most respected orthopedic surgery resource. Since 1999, we’ve dedicated ourselves to providing the most comprehensive, personalized patient care possible. We offer state-of-the-art surgical procedures, including endoscopic surgery, as well as advanced pain management solutions for individuals who haven’t found relief through other methods.
At NW Surgery, we believe everyone should have access to the orthopedic and pain management care they need. That’s why we work both with the insured and the uninsured, accepting many plans from leading insurers while also offering competitive prices for those without coverage.
Get Serious Relief for Your “Funny Bone” Symptoms
You don’t have to live with constant tingling, weakness, pain, or numbness in your forearm or hand. Contact NW Surgery today to ask about ulnar nerve decompression surgery in Houston. We’ll discuss your condition’s causes, evaluate your symptoms, and refer you to the ideal orthopedic surgeon for your needs so you can get serious about those not-so-funny “funny bone” issues.
