Cubital tunnel syndrome is a problem with the ulnar nerve, which passes through the inside of the elbow. It causes pain that feels a lot like the pain you feel when you hit the "funny bone" in your elbow. Cubital tunnel syndrome may happen when a person frequently bends the elbows, leans on their elbow a lot, or has an injury to the area.
Your doctor may recommend surgery to take pressure off of the nerve if:
Sometimes, the soft tissues over the nerve become thicker or there is an “extra” muscle over the nerve that can keep it from working correctly. Cubital tunnel syndrome can cause pain, loss of sensation, tingling and/or weakness. “Pins and needles” usually are felt in the ring and small fingers.
The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM G56. 20 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed by billing system query using Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for all patients who underwent open carpal tunnel release (CTR) (CPT code 64721) and/or open cubital tunnel surgery (CPT code 64718) by 1 of 4 hand surgeons from August 2008 to July 2013.
Cubital tunnel release is a surgical procedure that involves ulnar nerve decompression, and for some, a transposition of the nerve as well: During the procedure, a 3-inch incision is made along the course of the ulnar nerve, and the roof of the cubital tunnel is opened to relieve pressure on the nerve.
Utilizing a small incision, in situ decompression is the basic operation that unroofs the cubital tunnel and removes the most common sites of compression – the transverse humeral ligament (Osborne's Ligament) and the tendinous decussation of the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle.
CPT code 64718 is used to describe Transposition and/or neuroplasty of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. This code is used commonly to report simple decompression of the ulnar nerve, such as anterior transposition or subcutaneous transposition.
CPT 29848 and Carpal Tunnel Release CPT 64721 are allowed to bill together on the same date of service, and the modifier is allowed according to NCCI. Modifier 59 will be attached to CPT 29848. If the ulnar nerve's transposition or neuroplasty is performed, it will be reported with CPT 64719 instead of 64721.
What is cubital tunnel syndrome? Cubital tunnel syndrome happens when the ulnar nerve, which passes through the cubital tunnel (a tunnel of muscle, ligament, and bone) on the inside of the elbow, is injured and becomes inflamed, swollen, and irritated.
At the elbow, the ulnar nerve travels through a tunnel of tissue (the cubital tunnel) that runs under a bump of bone at the inside of your elbow. This bony bump is called the medial epicondyle.
Guyon's Canal Release and Carpal Tunnel Release The ulnar nerve is decompressed in the wrist through Guyon's canal and in the hand, specifically the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve. This deep motor branch is released by dividing the tendious arch of the hypothenar muscles.
Ulnar nerve decompression is surgical procedure designed to explore the region around the elbow through which the ulnar nerve passes. The ulnar nerve is responsible for the “funny bone” phenomenon when you hit your elbow.
Surgical Treatment In this procedure your surgeon will make an incision over the medial epicondyle, the bony bump on the inside of the elbow. The cubital tunnel is cut open through the soft tissue roof exposing the ulnar nerve. The forearm muscles or flexor muscles are cut and detached from the epicondyle.
Overview This outpatient procedure, performed under general or regional anesthesia, removes the medial epicondyle (the bony bump on the inner side of the elbow) to alleviate compression of the ulnar nerve. Medial epicondylectomy is used to treat cubital tunnel syndrome.