Ulnar nerve decompression, is a procedure to treat ulnar nerve entrapment. You may be familiar with the ulnar nerve because it creates the numbing and/or painful sensation when you hit your “funny bone”. The “funny bone” isn’t a bone, instead, it’s the inner elbow region where the ulnar nerve is less protected from the external environment. The ulnar nerve is most frequently trapped in the cubital tunnel in the elbow, and when squeezed causes cubital tunnel syndrome. In ulnar nerve decompression, the surgeon will make a small incision around the inner elbow to examine the joint region, including the cubital tunnel. The surgeon will perform a cubital tunnel decompression to remove the tissue responsible for compressing the ulnar nerve to restore healthy elbow movement and relieve pain. This may be done as an open or arthroscopic surgery. Using the arthroscopic technique requires a small incision and arthroscope (camera) to minimize muscle loss and damage. The surgeon will determine the appropriate treatment after considering a patient’s age, concerns, injury severity, activity levels and overall elbow joint health.