Cubital tunnel release
Clearer answers
A careful assessment
Your specialist will explain what’s your symptoms and talk you through the next steps.
Pressure relieved
Helping symptoms ease
Surgery releases the trapped nerve at your elbow, helping to prevent further damage and giving your symptoms a chance to improve.
Recovery that fits
Support beyond surgery
You’ll receive practical guidance to help you regain movement and return to the activities that matter to you.
Cubital tunnel release overview
Cubital tunnel release is an operation to ease pressure on the ‘funny bone’ nerve (ulnar nerve) as it passes around the inside of your elbow. It’s used to treat cubital tunnel syndrome, which can cause tingling, numbness and weakness in your hand. Surgery may be recommended if tingling or numbness in your fingers hasn’t improved with other treatments, or you’re developing weakness in your hand. During surgery, the tight band of tissue over the nerve is opened to create more room. As the area heals, new tissue grows across the opening without putting the same pressure on the nerve.
How is surgery carried out?
Cubital tunnel release is often carried out as a day case, which means you can usually return home on the same day.
Your surgeon makes a small cut along the inside of your elbow and carefully opens the tissue pressing on the nerve. They’ll then check that the nerve can move freely as your elbow bends.
If the nerve slips over the bone, the surgeon may need to move it to a more protected position at the front of your elbow. This procedure is called an ulnar nerve transposition.
Your consultant will explain the planned approach before your operation.
Are there any risks?
Most people recover without serious problems, but every operation carries some risk. These may include:
- An infection or bleeding around the wound
- Tenderness or a numb patch near the scar
- Stiffness or aching around the elbow
- Symptoms that take time to improve or do not fully settle
- The nerve becoming unstable and needing further treatment
- Damage to the nerve or a nearby blood vessel, although this is rare
Your consultant will discuss these risks and explain how they relate to your health and planned procedure.
Recovery from cubital tunnel release
Rest and gentle movement
You may have some soreness or swelling around your elbow. Keeping your fingers moving and gently bending your arm, as advised, can help prevent stiffness.
Return to lighter activities
Your consultant will usually check how your wound is healing at this point. You may feel ready to return to desk-based work, though this will depend on your comfort and the demands of your role.
Build up your activity
You can gradually return to more demanding tasks as your elbow becomes more comfortable. Jobs involving lifting or repeated arm movements may require a little longer.
Allow the nerve to recover
Tingling, numbness or weakness may improve gradually over several months. Recovery can take longer if the nerve was under pressure for some time before 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.
Cubital tunnel release FAQs
Most people can return home on the day of their operation. You’ll need someone to take you home and stay with you. Your care team will be able to give you more guidance on recovery and aftercare.
You can usually drive once you can control the car safely and make an emergency stop without pain. You should also be free of any dressings or medication that may affect your driving. Your consultant will advise you. It’s also worth checking with your insurer, as your policy may have specific rules about driving after surgery.
Not everyone needs physiotherapy after cubital tunnel release. Your consultant may refer you to a specialist hand therapist if you need support with movement, strength or returning to specific activities.
Tingling or numbness may begin to ease soon after surgery, but nerves recover slowly, and improvement can continue for several months. If the nerve was badly compressed or damaged before your operation, some symptoms may remain.
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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