Effect of dry needling on cubital tunnel syndrome: Three case reports

ABSTRACT

This case series describes three patients who presented with right medial elbow pain managed unsuccessfully with conservative treatment that included medication, massage, exercise therapy, ultrasound therapy, neurodynamic mobilization, and taping. Diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome was based on palpatory findings, a positive elbow flexion test, and a positive Tinel’s sign. Conventionally, the intervention for this entrapment has been surgical decompression, with successful outcomes. This is potentially a first-time description of the successful management of cubital tunnel syndrome with dry needling (DN) using a recently published DN grading system. The patients were seen twice a week for 2 weeks with immediate improvements noted in all the outcome measures after the first treatment session. At discharge, they were pain-free and fully functional, which was maintained up to a 6-month follow-up.

KEYWORDS:

• Cubital tunnel
• cubital tunnel syndrome
• dry needling
• entrapment
• intramuscular stimulation
• intramuscular therapy
• neuropathy
• neurodynamics
• neural mobilization
• physical therapy
• ulnar nerve

Acknowledgments

The authors thank John Campbell Bsc.Kin, Bsc.PT, MRSC, and Lori Stevens for their assistance in preparing this manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The authors thank John Campbell Bsc.Kin, Bsc.PT, MRSC, and Lori Stevens for their assistance in preparing this manuscript.