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Thread: Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

  1. #1
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    May 2010
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    Default Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

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    Hi Jordan,

    I appreciate this isn't strictly a nutritional question, so no problem if you don't approve it, but I figured since you training to be a doctor whilst having actual knowledge of training in the gym you are a good person to ask.

    I've been diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome. Textbook symptoms, which at the moment only occur at night. I'm a prime candidate, I work at a desk and my other hobbies include lifting weights and playing bass guitar. Bass actually earns me a bit of money, so I'd like to keep the use of my hands if possible.

    I've noticed that during my squats (low bar, as per Starting Strength positioning with elbows etc) that my inner elbow starts to ache and is tender to the touch. It's fairly obvious to me now that this is my ulnar nerve and it doesn't like my squats. Anything I can do with my grip to help alleviate the problem? I'm pretty sure that the squats are the main cause as it usually returns when I head back to the gym after a break and the only exercise I get any discomfort with is squats.

    Since this is a nutrition forum, are there any supplements you might suggest? I'm guessing anything that helps stop inflammation of the joints?

  2. #2
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    I think that some soft tissue work around your elbow is a good idea, along with having a coach make sure your grip is perfect are my initial recommendations. Seeing an ortho hand specialist to get a steroid injection is something I'd recommend too.


    Finally, supplementation outside of nsaids are mostly a wash. Glucosamine, cissus quadrangularis, and other topical analgesics do not have lots of good data. I think a warm elbow sleeve may help, however.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jordan Feigenbaum View Post
    I think that some soft tissue work around your elbow is a good idea, along with having a coach make sure your grip is perfect are my initial recommendations. Seeing an ortho hand specialist to get a steroid injection is something I'd recommend too.


    Finally, supplementation outside of nsaids are mostly a wash. Glucosamine, cissus quadrangularis, and other topical analgesics do not have lots of good data. I think a warm elbow sleeve may help, however.
    The coach at my gym would tell me I was 'holding the bar too low, my thumbs need to be wrapped around the bar and I need to go Ass to Grass to activate my glutes and core'.

    I'll see if I can post a vid in the form section in here, although since I train in the morning in a generally empty gym, it might be difficult to get the angles right.

    I've been given a bunch of 'nerve gliding' exercises to do. Worth doing?

  4. #4
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    It shouldn't be too hard to set your smartphone up to record a decent angle. They almost always do better than someone filming you and moving around.

    As far as nerve gliding, I'm not sure what that is but I assume (dangerously) that it is the same as voodoo flossing. If so, you can try it out and see if it helps but it hasn't done anything for my cubital tunnel- though I have seen good results with extra mobility and soft tissue work around the elbow and proximal forearm.

  5. #5
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    Removing the arms from my office chair fixed my cubital tunnel issues. Take a hard look at your posture in daily life, you might be leaning on your elbows like I was.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jordan Feigenbaum View Post
    It shouldn't be too hard to set your smartphone up to record a decent angle. They almost always do better than someone filming you and moving around.

    As far as nerve gliding, I'm not sure what that is but I assume (dangerously) that it is the same as voodoo flossing. If so, you can try it out and see if it helps but it hasn't done anything for my cubital tunnel- though I have seen good results with extra mobility and soft tissue work around the elbow and proximal forearm.
    It's these basically:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPrsgaoqsCI

    Started some soft tissue work on myself a couple of nights ago. Had no clue how tight my forearms were, espicially at the point they join the elbow. Not sure if it's helping the cubital tunnel, will need to do it for a few weeks but they really do feel more relaxed after it.

    Will try and post up a vid in the next few days.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by cwd View Post
    Removing the arms from my office chair fixed my cubital tunnel issues. Take a hard look at your posture in daily life, you might be leaning on your elbows like I was.
    You mean "Student's Elbow?"

  8. #8
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    No, I had the classic nerve symptoms -- numbness and tingling on the pinky and lateral side of the ring finger. Removing the arms from my computer chair broke my bad habit of leaning on my elbows for hours, and fixed the problem.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by cwd View Post
    No, I had the classic nerve symptoms -- numbness and tingling on the pinky and lateral side of the ring finger. Removing the arms from my computer chair broke my bad habit of leaning on my elbows for hours, and fixed the problem.
    I had that for awhile bc I was sleeping wrong. I was just hoping to see a pic of some nasty elbows!

  10. #10
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    starting strength coach development program
    Quote Originally Posted by Jordan Feigenbaum View Post
    I had that for awhile bc I was sleeping wrong. I was just hoping to see a pic of some nasty elbows!
    I'll have you know my elbows are lovely.

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