Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common neuropathic condition resulting from the compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, leading to symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the affected arm and hand. Physiotherapy plays a vital role in the conservative management of CTS by alleviating symptoms, improving function, and preventing progression. This review of the literature explores various physiotherapy interventions utilized in the treatment of CTS, including nerve gliding exercises, stretching, strengthening, manual therapy, and ergonomic adjustments.
Methodology: A comprehensive literature study was done using the specified search criteria to carry out a literature review, the search phrases "physiotherapy interventions in cubital tunnel syndrome" were employed between the years 2010 and 2024. We have discovered 20 publications with complete text and methodologies for additional examination from diverse
academic journals.
Results: Recent studies show that nerve gliding exercises can reduce tension and improve ulnar nerve movement, leading to symptom relief. Stretching alleviates muscle tightness while strengthening exercises address weaknesses caused by nerve compression. These conservative approaches are effective for many, but treatment protocols vary, underscoring the need for personalized rehabilitation plans.
Conclusion: We discovered 20 publications that had physiotherapy interventions in cubital tunnel syndrome for all individuals. All articles designed for his review emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and individualized care in optimizing patient outcomes for those with CTS.
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Article Details
References
- 1. Chung, H., Choi, H., & Kim, Y. (2021). Physiotherapy interventions for cubital tunnel syndrome: A systematic review. Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 51(2), 95-106.
- 2. McClure, P. W., Kessler, S. K., & Sahrmann, S. A. (2020). Rehabilitation for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow: A clinical review. Journal of Hand Therapy, 33(1), 12-20.
- 3. Yağcı G, Kasapoğlu Aksoy M, Aykurt Karlıbel İ, Seferoğlu M. The Effects of Photobiomodulation Therapy in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Clinical Trial. Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery. 2024 Nov 1;42(11):668–75.
- 4. Wieczorek M, Gnat R, Wolny T. The Use of Physiotherapy in the Conservative Treatment of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: A Critical Review of the Literature. Diagnostics. 2024 Jun 6;14(11):1201–1.
- 5. Shelke S, Ambade R, Shelke A. From Conservative Measures to Surgical Interventions, Treatment Approaches for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus. 2023 Dec 29;15(12):e51262.
- 6. Mamipour H, Negahban H, Aval SB, Zaferanieh M, Moradi A, Kachooei AR. Effectiveness of physiotherapy plus acupuncture compared with physiotherapy alone on pain, disability and grip strength in people with carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies [Internet]. 2023 Jul 1;35:378–84. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37330796/
- 7. Wolny T, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Buczek T, Domin M, Arkadiusz Granek, Linek P. The Effects of Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022 Jul 21;11(14):4247–7.
- 8. Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Arias-Buría JL, El Bachiri YR, Plaza-Manzano G, Cleland JA. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous electrical stimulation for a patient with cubital tunnel syndrome: a case report with a one-year follow-up. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2020 Nov 6;1–6.
- 9. Mohammadi S, Roostayi MM, Naimi SS, Baghban AA. The effects of cupping therapy as a new approach in the physiotherapeutic management of carpal tunnel syndrome. Physiotherapy Research International. 2019 Jan 29;24(3).
- 10. Anandkumar S, Manivasagam M. Effect of dry needling on cubital tunnel syndrome: Three case reports. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2018 Mar 12;35(4):363–72.
- 11. Aleksandra Sieradzka, None Krzysztof Szerej, Kot NA, Wojtczak NM, None Natalia Myśliwiec, None Adrian Różycki, et al. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome - Modern Treatment Options. Quality in Sport. 2025 Jan 10;37:57045–5.
- 12. Gaber M, el_dein M. Ultrasound Versus Nerve Gliding On Hand Grip Strength In Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. Egyptian Journal of Physical Therapy. 2021 Mar 1;5(1):1–5.
- 13. Hamzeh H, Madi M, Alghwiri AA, Hawamdeh Z. The long-term effect of neurodynamics vs exercise therapy on pain and function in people with carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized parallel-group clinical trial. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2020 Jul;34(4).
- 14. Gronbeck C, Wolf J, Rodner CM. Ultrasound-guided Cubital Tunnel Injection. Techniques in Orthopaedics. 2020 Mar 18;Publish Ahead of Print.
- 15. Wolny T, Linek P. Is manual therapy based on neurodynamic techniques effective in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome? A randomized controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2018 Oct 11;33(3):408–17.
- 16. Kearns GA, Wang S. Medical diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome ameliorated with thrust manipulation of the elbow and carpals. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. 2012 May 1;20(2):90–5.
- 17. Oskay D, Meriç A, Kirdi N, Firat T, Ayhan Ç, Leblebicioğlu G. Neurodynamic Mobilization in the Conservative Treatment of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Long-Term Follow-Up of 7 Cases. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2010 Feb;33(2):156–63.
- 18. Kooner S, Cinats D, Kwong C, Matthewson GD, Dhaliwal G. Conservative treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome: A systematic review. Orthopedic Reviews. 2019 Jun 12;11(2).
References
1. Chung, H., Choi, H., & Kim, Y. (2021). Physiotherapy interventions for cubital tunnel syndrome: A systematic review. Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 51(2), 95-106.
2. McClure, P. W., Kessler, S. K., & Sahrmann, S. A. (2020). Rehabilitation for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow: A clinical review. Journal of Hand Therapy, 33(1), 12-20.
3. Yağcı G, Kasapoğlu Aksoy M, Aykurt Karlıbel İ, Seferoğlu M. The Effects of Photobiomodulation Therapy in Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Clinical Trial. Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery. 2024 Nov 1;42(11):668–75.
4. Wieczorek M, Gnat R, Wolny T. The Use of Physiotherapy in the Conservative Treatment of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: A Critical Review of the Literature. Diagnostics. 2024 Jun 6;14(11):1201–1.
5. Shelke S, Ambade R, Shelke A. From Conservative Measures to Surgical Interventions, Treatment Approaches for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus. 2023 Dec 29;15(12):e51262.
6. Mamipour H, Negahban H, Aval SB, Zaferanieh M, Moradi A, Kachooei AR. Effectiveness of physiotherapy plus acupuncture compared with physiotherapy alone on pain, disability and grip strength in people with carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies [Internet]. 2023 Jul 1;35:378–84. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37330796/
7. Wolny T, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Buczek T, Domin M, Arkadiusz Granek, Linek P. The Effects of Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022 Jul 21;11(14):4247–7.
8. Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Arias-Buría JL, El Bachiri YR, Plaza-Manzano G, Cleland JA. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous electrical stimulation for a patient with cubital tunnel syndrome: a case report with a one-year follow-up. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2020 Nov 6;1–6.
9. Mohammadi S, Roostayi MM, Naimi SS, Baghban AA. The effects of cupping therapy as a new approach in the physiotherapeutic management of carpal tunnel syndrome. Physiotherapy Research International. 2019 Jan 29;24(3).
10. Anandkumar S, Manivasagam M. Effect of dry needling on cubital tunnel syndrome: Three case reports. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2018 Mar 12;35(4):363–72.
11. Aleksandra Sieradzka, None Krzysztof Szerej, Kot NA, Wojtczak NM, None Natalia Myśliwiec, None Adrian Różycki, et al. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome - Modern Treatment Options. Quality in Sport. 2025 Jan 10;37:57045–5.
12. Gaber M, el_dein M. Ultrasound Versus Nerve Gliding On Hand Grip Strength In Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. Egyptian Journal of Physical Therapy. 2021 Mar 1;5(1):1–5.
13. Hamzeh H, Madi M, Alghwiri AA, Hawamdeh Z. The long-term effect of neurodynamics vs exercise therapy on pain and function in people with carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized parallel-group clinical trial. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2020 Jul;34(4).
14. Gronbeck C, Wolf J, Rodner CM. Ultrasound-guided Cubital Tunnel Injection. Techniques in Orthopaedics. 2020 Mar 18;Publish Ahead of Print.
15. Wolny T, Linek P. Is manual therapy based on neurodynamic techniques effective in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome? A randomized controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2018 Oct 11;33(3):408–17.
16. Kearns GA, Wang S. Medical diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome ameliorated with thrust manipulation of the elbow and carpals. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. 2012 May 1;20(2):90–5.
17. Oskay D, Meriç A, Kirdi N, Firat T, Ayhan Ç, Leblebicioğlu G. Neurodynamic Mobilization in the Conservative Treatment of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Long-Term Follow-Up of 7 Cases. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2010 Feb;33(2):156–63.
18. Kooner S, Cinats D, Kwong C, Matthewson GD, Dhaliwal G. Conservative treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome: A systematic review. Orthopedic Reviews. 2019 Jun 12;11(2).