Ulnar nerve entrapment: Treatment, symptoms, advice and help

About ulnar nerve entrapment

Ulnar nerve entrapment is a condition where the ulnar nerve becomes trapped or compressed due to some abnormalities which leads to movement or sensation problems in the wrist and hand.

Ulnar nerve entrapment: Incidence, age and sex

The annual incidence is estimated at 0.8% per person per year. The incidence of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow is associated with biomechanical risk factors (holding a tool in position, repetitively), being overweight and upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Signs & symptoms of ulnar nerve entrapment: Diagnosis

Ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow can cause pain, numbness and tingling in the ulnar 1½ digits of the hand, progressing to loss of hand function. Signs include wasting and weakness of the small muscles of the hand and the hypothenar eminence.

Causes and prevention of ulnar nerve entrapment

The ulnar nerve passes through many tunnels which could cause the nerve to compress. Some causes noted are- disease of the cervical spine, elbow abnormalities (fractures, growth plate injuries, cubital tunnel problems, improper use), wrist abnormalities like fractures, infections, tumours, diabetes, hypothyroidism, rheumatism, and alcoholism.

Some cases may be prevented by good posture and proper use of the elbow and arms, such as sleeping with the arm straight at the elbow instead of keeping it tightly bent, or keeping the head properly centered over the cervical spine instead of slouching.

In other cases, especially those caused by anatomic deformities, there is no effective prevention measure.

Ulnar nerve entrapment: Complications

Possible complications include deformity of the hand, partial or complete loss of sensation in the hand or fingers, partial or complete loss of wrist or hand movement and recurrent or unnoticed injury to the hand.

Ulnar nerve entrapment: Treatment

Nerve conduction studies confirm the diagnosis, which is treated by surgical decompression. Effective treatment generally requires resolving the underlying cause. Occupational therapy and physical therapy such as osteopathy, often provide relief. Surgery may be required for some causes, such as thoracic outlet syndrome.