Ulnar Nerve Entrapment

When you hit your elbow somewhere and feel an electrical current or pain spreading to your entire arm, you feel your ulnar nerve. However, sometimes this picture created by the ulnar nerve can be permanent and can create a picture that disturbs the fingers and wrist. The ulnar nerve extends along the entire arm and ends by passing the elbow and wrist. It is responsible for the sensation of the little finger and ring finger of the hand and part of the movement of the fingers of the hand. It passes through a tunnel that you can feel with your hand on the inner side of the elbow. If the ulnar nerve is affected by a trauma to the elbow (such as after elbow fractures), the nerve is compressed in this tunnel due to the edema that develops in the nerve. This picture is called cubital tunnel syndrome or ulnar nerve compression syndrome.

If this condition continues, the protective myelin layer on the nerve may wear out due to friction caused by movements of the wrist and elbow. This means that the nerve may be permanently damaged. Here, complaints such as weakness in the muscles of the hand and difficulty in movements such as opening a jar occur. Although the problem is caused by a pathology related to the elbow, the main complaints occur in the hand and fingers, which are the areas where the nerve is effective. Problems with both motor and sensory sensations are experienced.
  • Feeling of tension on the inside of the elbow
  • A feeling of numbness in the little finger and ring finger of the hand, especially at night
  • Numbness occurs after the elbow remains in a folded position for a long time, such as while driving or talking on the phone.
  • Difficulty using a musical instrument or doing a task involving the fingers of the hand
  • Feeling of weakness in grasping or sorting
  • Complaints such as pain on the inner side of the entire arm may occur.
If any of these are present, consult your doctor; early diagnosis will bring easy treatment options.
There are many methods available to diagnose the disease. The most important of these is the information obtained from the patient. If you have a history of problems with your elbow, your doctor may request various X-rays. In addition, an EMG may be requested to see the electrical response of the muscles and nerves of the hand and wrist.
  • Those who fall on their elbows
  • People who work in jobs that require elbow movement (such as secretaries, drivers)
  • Diabetics
  • Those with arthritis problems or thyroid problems
  • Alcoholics are at risk.

Nonsurgical treatment options

 

  • Keeping the elbow as straight as possible to prevent nerve compression,
  • Preventing arms from crossing over the chest,
  • If you make frequent phone calls, create a system where you don't use your elbow (like talking into a megaphone)
  • Adjust your desk to prevent your elbow from remaining in a bent position,
  • Splints that adjust the position of the arm that you will use at night,
  • Use of elbow pads to protect the elbow during sports
  • Corticosteroid injection (to reduce edema)

Surgical treatment

 

If conservative treatment does not eliminate muscle weakness or if pain complaints persist, surgical treatment should be planned after further examinations. There are many methods of surgery, but the most common is the procedure called anterior submuscular transposition, which can be described as moving the nerve from behind to the front of the bone tunnel through which it passes. Rehabilitation is planned after surgical treatment to regain the strength of the hand.