Outcomes of Rigid Night Splinting and Activity Modification in the Treatment of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Shah, C. M., Calfee, R. P., Gelberman, R. H., & Goldfarb, C. A. (2013). Outcomes of rigid night splinting and activity modification in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome (night splint for cubital tunnel syndrome). The Journal of Hand Surgery, 38(6), 1125–1130.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.02.039

By: Sophia Grimm

The Skinny:

The purpose of this study was to identify symptom improvement in patients with mild to moderate cubital tunnel syndrome treated with rigid night orthosis and activity modifications. The degree of ulnar nerve dysfunction was identified according to Dellon’s classification.

• Dellon 1: Limited to intermittent paresthesia and weakness
• Dellon 2: Intermittent paresthesia and notable weakness
• Dellon 3 Persistent paresthesia and significant weakness with or without intrinsic muscular atrophy

Current conservative treatment guidelines for cubital tunnel syndrome are nerve gliding exercises, activity modification, and orthotic use. It is also common to use the cubital tunnel syndrome splint.

In the Weeds:

This study included 19 patients with Dellon’s 1 & 2 classification of cubital tunnel syndrome. All patients were treated with a rigid nighttime orthosis holding the elbow at a position of 45 degrees of flexion for 3 months and activity modifications to decrease irritation of the ulnar nerve. Patients were evaluated at enrollment, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year with the QuickDASH, SF-12, grip and pinch strength measurement, presence or absence of Froment’s sign, and strength assessment of the first dorsal interosseous and flexor digitorum profundus to small finger. Researchers also used static 2-point discrimination of the 5th digit to assess for sensory changes, tinel’s at the elbow, evaluated ulnar nerve stability at the cubital tunnel, and assessed for a combined flexion with pressure provocation test by placing the patient’s elbow in maximum flexion and, while in this position, placing pressure on the ulnar nerve just proximal to the cubital tunnel. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies were also performed on all patients.

Bringing it Home:

The researchers found an 88% success rate for treating cubital tunnel syndrome in 21 out of 24 extremities with a rigid 45-degree nighttime orthosis and activity modifications. Both QuickDASH and SF-12 scores showed statistically and clinically significant improvement within 3 months of treatment. The improvements noted at 3 months were maintained at 1-year follow-up.

This study has promising clinical treatment findings for cubital tunnel syndrome. The sample size was small, and the study has not been replicated. All participants were treated with the same intervention and therefore no comparisons could be drawn. However, the subjective and objective data collected matched the findings of the study.