Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
Ulnar nerve entrapment (or ulnar nerve neuropathy) is a painful condition that affects the outer side of the arm and hand, near the little finger. The pain is caused by pressure on the ulnar nerve that is located within the arm. This pain is often a sign that the ulnar nerve is trapped or pinched.
The ulnar nerve provides sensation to the flexor muscles of the hands, allowing for bending. As virtually everyone relies on their hands all day long, which it makes this condition all the more painful.
Causes of Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
Because the ulnar nerve passes through many tunnels within the arm, many conditions or injuries could cause the nerve to become compressed or pinched.
Causes of Ulnar Nerve Entrapment include:
- Elbow fractures
- Growth plate injuries
- Wrist fractures
- Infections
- Tumors
- Diabetes
- Alcoholism
- Neck or vertebrae problems
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Guyon or Guyon’s canal syndrome
Symptoms of Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
Hand, wrist and arm pain can be an indication of a number of conditions. So it is important to have your hand, arm or wrist pain evaluated by a Detroit area hand doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
However, symptoms of ulnar nerve entrapment may include:
- Weakness
- Tenderness
- Tingling in the little finger (your pinky finger)
- Elbow tenderness
When suffering from Ulnar Nerve Entrapment, numbness happens more often when the elbow is bent, and frequently worsens at night when the elbow is bent during sleep.
How Hand Doctors Treat Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
The very best thing you can do if you are experiencing arm, wrist or hand pain is to see a hand specialist. Hand specialists, such as top Detroit area hand doctor Dr. Rehman, can diagnose and treat your condition before it worsens.
Upon an extensive evaluation, an experienced hand doctor can recommend a course of treatment. Often, Ulnar Neuropathy or Ulnar Nerve Entrapment can be treated through minimally-invasive methods. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed, and corticosteroid injections may be considered. Bracing or splinting, especially at night, may be undertaken. Occupational therapy exercises, when done faithfully, will help to rebuild flexibility and strength.
In more severe cases of Ulnar Nerve Entrapment, surgery may be recommended, depending upon on the severity of the entrapment.
Top Detroit Area Hand Doctor
If you are suffering from an injury or pain in your fingers, wrist, elbow or arm, contact board certified hand Clarkston area hand surgeon Doctor Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. As with most medical conditions, early detection, awareness, and a prevention or treatment plan is the most effective way to combat the effects of conditions like Ulnar Nerve Entrapment.
Doctor Rehman will assess your individual situation, and prescribe the treatments that are best for your condition.
