Cubital tunnel syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome is pressure on a nerve at the inside of the elbow, causing tingling or numbness in the ring and little fingers. It is often eased with a night splint, with surgery if it carries on. Read more about cubital tunnel syndrome →
If symptoms are sudden, severe or getting worse, contact your GP or NHS 111.
Where are you up to?
The NHS reports waiting times by specialty, not by individual condition, so this is the orthopaedics wait (not specific to cubital tunnel syndrome), updated August 2026. Enter a postcode to see the hospitals near you.
orthopaedics waiting times by hospital
| Trust | Location | Typical wait |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | Reading | 5 weeks |
| Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | Bath and North East Somerset | 12 weeks |
| Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Liverpool | 13 weeks |
| George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust | Nuneaton and Bedworth | 13 weeks |
| South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust | Warwick | 14 weeks |
| University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | Birmingham | 15 weeks |
| South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Middlesbrough | 15 weeks |
| University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Camden | 16 weeks |
About cubital tunnel syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome is pressure on the ulnar nerve where it passes the inside of the elbow, the spot people call the funny bone. It can cause tingling or numbness in the ring and little fingers, and sometimes aching at the elbow or weakness in the hand, often worse when the elbow is bent for a while, such as overnight.
How it is treated
Many people improve by easing pressure on the nerve: changing activities that keep the elbow bent, padding the elbow, and wearing a splint at night to keep the elbow straighter. If symptoms carry on or the hand is weakening, a day-case operation can release the pressure on the nerve, and sometimes move it to a more protected position.
After treatment
Simple measures and a night splint settle milder cases. After surgery, tingling often eases first while any numbness or weakness can take longer to recover, sometimes several months, depending on how long the nerve was under pressure.
Sources: NHS (Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust): Cubital tunnel release surgery. Last updated October 2026.
General information only, not medical advice. Wait or Pay is independent and is not the NHS. Your GP decides what care, if any, you need.