A common ulnar nerve release surgery at surgery center facility in California includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
Hand surgeon visit provider fee
First time visit
Standard
|
1 |
$160 |
Provider fee to release and/or relocate cranial nerve or ulnar (arm) nerve at elbow
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$836 |
Provider fee to remove tissue and/or bone at elbow
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$795 |
Facility |
Surgery center fee to remove tissue and/or bone at elbow
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$1,865 |
Surgery center fee to release and/or relocate cranial nerve or ulnar (arm) nerve at elbow
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$1,155 |
Imaging |
Radiology fee for ultrasound of leg or arm
Limited
Standard
|
1 |
$93 |
Prescriptions |
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Standard
Standard
|
30 |
$18 |
Anesthesia |
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure
Level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$234 |
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure
Per minute
Standard
|
266 |
$617 |
Total average cash price |
|
A common ulnar nerve release surgery at outpatient hospital facility in California includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
Hand surgeon visit provider fee
First time visit
Standard
|
1 |
$160 |
Provider fee to release and/or relocate cranial nerve or ulnar (arm) nerve at elbow
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$836 |
Provider fee to remove tissue and/or bone at elbow
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$795 |
Facility |
Outpatient Hospital fee to remove tissue and/or bone at elbow
level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$3,970 |
Outpatient Hospital fee to release and/or relocate cranial nerve or ulnar (arm) nerve at elbow
level 1
Standard
|
1 |
$2,494 |
Imaging |
Radiology fee for ultrasound of leg or arm
Limited
Standard
|
1 |
$93 |
Prescriptions |
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Standard
Standard
|
30 |
$18 |
Anesthesia |
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure
Level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$234 |
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure
Per minute
Standard
|
266 |
$617 |
Total average cash price |
|
Ulnar nerve release surgery is a treatment for “cubital tunnel syndrome.” This syndrome leads to pain both along the inside of the elbow and the fourth and fifth fingers of the hand. In more severe cases, it can be disabling, causing severe cramping in the hand with even light activity.
Cubital tunnel syndrome is very similar to the more common condition, carpal tunnel syndrome. In both of these conditions, the nerves leading to your hand are compressed by swelling in the body structures that surround them. This compression leads to pain, cramping, and difficulty using the affected hand. This swelling can be caused by overuse of the elbow, certain repetitive motions, and other medical conditions.
An ulnar nerve release surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome will be recommended if you have numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle breakdown in the hand that a doctor diagnoses as due to cubital nerve compression. Surgery is usually only done after braces, physical therapy, and rest fail to relieve symptoms.
Ulnar nerve release surgery is a minor procedure that causes minimal damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding the elbow. Because of this, the surgery and its recovery are less painful than the hand pain and cramping that leads doctors to refer patients for this surgery.
Any pain after the procedure generally resolves within days, and relief from the symptoms of ulnar nerve compression can be immediate. Pain is typically well controlled with over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin) for one to two days after the procedure.
You will not need to be put to sleep for ulnar nerve release surgery. The ulnar nerve is very close to the skin along the inside of the elbow. This area is extremely easy to numb with local anesthetics, and the surgery is very short. You will be given medication to help you relax before surgery. This medication does not put you to sleep, but it is calming, and it helps reduce any anxiety surrounding the procedure.
An orthopedic surgeon almost always performs an ulnar nerve release. These doctors specialize in surgery on the bones, ligaments, and tendons. An ulnar nerve release involves cutting the ligament that is compressing the ulnar nerve and not cutting the nerve itself. This is why an orthopedic surgeon performs the procedure as opposed to a neurosurgeon, who performs surgery on nerves.
Ulnar nerve release is a very successful surgery with rare complications. Studies show 87% of patients have a permanent improvement in their symptoms with surgery. Only 3% of patients have complications resulting from ulnar nerve release, the most common complication being incomplete release requiring a repeat operation.
The high success rate of ulnar nerve release is due to how many people require it. Around 6% of the US population has symptoms of ulnar nerve compression. A large number of these individuals undergo this surgery every year. Because this surgery is so common, the surgeons that perform it become extremely experienced, leading to safer surgeries with fewer complications.
The vast majority of patients that undergo ulnar nerve release feel that the operation was worthwhile. Almost anyone with symptoms of ulnar nerve compression can benefit from surgery. Unlike more extensive surgeries such as knee and hip replacement, ulnar nerve decompression is much less painful, has fewer complications, and does not require a significant amount of time for recovery.
Sleep after ulnar nerve release surgery is generally unchanged. Your surgeon will recommend avoiding compression over the area for a few weeks after surgery. If you sleep on your side, you will need to change your sleeping position for one to two weeks to avoid compression over the surgical site.
About the ulnar nerve release surgery Average Cash Prices
This procedure is most commonly performed at either a surgery center or an outpatient hospital.
Surgery centers, also known as ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), are independent, licensed medical
facilities that are governed by distinct regulatory requirements compared with a hospital. Procedures
performed at an ASCs are often less expensive than when they are performed at an outpatient hospital,
but they typically offer fewer complimentary services, and may not have the full-range of support
services that a hospital provides.
Outpatient facilities are outpatient departments or clinics that may be within or next to a hospital,
but is owned and run by the affiliated hospital. These facilities can perform surgical treatments and
procedures that do not require an overnight stay. Procedures performed at an outpatient hospital are
often more expensive than when they are performed in an ambulatory surgery center, but outpatient
hospitals may offer more complimentary and support services for patients because they are connected to
the hospital system.
