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Ulnar nerve release procedures are used to treat ulnar nerve problems. The site of the release depends on where the ulnar nerve is being affected as it travels from the shoulder to the hand.
This is an operation to release the ulnar nerve as it passes around the back of the elbow.
A cut is made on the inside of the elbow and the nerve is identified and freed from the structures that tether or compress it. Occasionally an ulnar nerve transposition is required, which is where the nerve is moved so that it lies across the front of the elbow, rather than the back. This procedure reduces the amount of stretch on the nerve when the elbow is bent.
Surgeons that perform cubital tunnel release
This operation releases the ulnar nerve as it passes through a narrow part of the palm. A cut is made in the palm and across the wrist. The nerve and its branches are freed from the structures that tether or compress it.
Surgeons that perform Guyon’s canal release
Patients can typically go home on the same day as their ulnar nerve release operation.
Patients typically notice that their night time symptoms are instantly improved after an ulnar nerve release. Other symptoms, such as numbness in the fingers can take longer to improve. Muscle weakness is a sign of advanced disease and it may not improve despite otherwise successful surgery.
For more information on ulnar nerve release, we recommend contacting our surgeons for an initial consultation.
