Can cubital tunnel syndrome get better without surgery?

In short

Yes. Mild cubital tunnel syndrome often gets better without surgery. Dr. Knight starts by changing how you work, so you stop resting your elbow on a tabletop, a hard surface or an armrest. He adds a night brace that holds the elbow straight. In mild cases, that can resolve the problem. He sees it in Southlake and Plano, Texas.

By The Hand and Wrist Institute Medically reviewed by John T. Knight, MD Reviewed November 4, 2026 Updated November 2, 2026How we write and review

Call (817) 382-6789 to have this looked at, or book online with Dr. Knight.

What irritates the nerve

Bump the inside of your elbow on a table edge and you know the nerve we mean. The ulnar nerve runs behind the bony bump on the inside of the elbow, the spot people call the funny bone.¹ Leaning on the elbow presses on it, and keeping the elbow bent for long periods strains it too. Many people sleep with their elbows bent, which can make symptoms worse.¹

What Dr. Knight tries first

Treatment takes the pressure and the bend away. Change how you work so the elbow is not resting on a hard edge, and wear a brace at night that holds the elbow straight, such as a Pil-O brace. In mild cases, Dr. Knight finds that this is enough. He explains the condition and its treatment in What is cubital tunnel syndrome and how is it treated?.

When not to wait

See a doctor if symptoms are severe, or if they are milder but have lasted more than six weeks.¹ A nerve that has been compressed for a long time can cause muscle wasting in the hand, and that cannot be reversed.¹ When symptoms do not improve, or the compression is weakening the hand, surgery may be recommended.¹

Cubital tunnel visits in Southlake and Plano, Texas

If numbness in the little and ring fingers has lasted more than six weeks, book a visit. Dr. Knight sees cubital tunnel in Southlake on weekdays (our Southlake office) and in Plano on Tuesdays (our Plano office). Nerve testing, when it is needed, is arranged by Dr. Knight and done outside the office. If the numbness does not settle, our page on cubital tunnel surgery explains the operation.

In Dr. Knight's words

"Absolutely. Usually by modifying the work and not resting the elbow on a tabletop or hard object or armrest, and then also wearing a [Pil-O] brace, which is an elbow brace at night that holds the elbow straight. In mild cases, [that] can resolve the problem."

When to call us

• The little and ring fingers are numb or tingling.
• Numbness is constant, not just when the elbow is bent.
• Your grip or pinch is getting weaker.
• The muscle between your thumb and index finger looks thinner.