The ulnar nerve goes from the shoulder to the hand and is in charge of its motor and sensitive function.
It is in the elbow where injuries regularly occur by direct trauma, position with prolonged pressure on the nerve and/or inflammation of the tissues or muscles surrounding the nerve.
It causes a feeling of numbness and/or pain in the ring finger and little finger, with weakness and clumsiness when performing precise movements. In the long term, it causes atrophy of the muscles in the 4th and 5th fingers and retraction of the tendons, causing a "claw hand".
It is diagnosed through clinical questioning and a physical examination. Additional imaging tests help study its cause.
The objective of the treatment is based off of pain control and healing the nerve's function. The pain is controlled with regular analgesics, corticosteroids and splints that help relieve symptoms and prevent complications. Severe cases may require surgery.
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- Frost P, Johnsen B, Fuglsang-Frederiksen A, Svendsen SW. Lifestyle risk factors for ulnar neuropathy and ulnar neuropathy-like symptoms. Muscle Nerve 2013; 48:507.
- Laura Simionescu. Traumatic mononeuropathies. UpToDate. Feb 02, 2016.
