Ulna nerve entrapment A guide to treatment & management
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LS 2163 08/11 V1 WFO Sustainable Forests / Low chlorine Rotherham Hospital Moorgate Road Oakwood Rotherham S60 2UD Telephone 01709 820000 www.rotherhamhospital.nhs.uk The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust Community Health Ulna nerve entrapment A guide to treatment & management Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment & Treatment Service Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment & Treatment Service
Transcript of Ulna nerve entrapment A guide to treatment & management
LS 2163 08/11 V1 WFO
Sustainable Forests / Low chlorine
Rotherham HospitalMoorgate RoadOakwoodRotherham S60 2UD
Telephone 01709 820000www.rotherhamhospital.nhs.uk
The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
Community Health
Ulna nerve entrapmentA guide to treatment & management
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Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment & Treatment Service
Ulna nerve entrapment
IntroductionThe Ulna Nerve runs down the back of the upper arm. When it gets level with the elbow joint it fits between two bones in an area called the cubital tunnel. In this area it is very close to the skin. When you bang your elbow it is common to catch the nerve and this is often why you will get the sensation of pins and needles in your hand when you do this.
The nerve runs very close to the bones here and it is also surrounded by ligaments and muscles which can press on the nerve when your arm is in certain positions, for example when the elbow is fully bent or you are resting on your elbows.
When the nerve becomes compressed or trapped you can experience pain around the inside of your elbow and very often pins and needles and/or numbness in your little finger and half of your ring finger (highlighted in yellow in the diagram above). Symptoms are usually worse at night as people tend to sleep with their elbows bent.
If the nerve has been compressed for a long time it may cause some weakness in some of the muscles in the hand. You may notice this when you are gripping or lifting objects.
Sometimes the nerve will “pop out” of its tunnel and this is called subluxing. You would experience the same symptoms but also a pop or clicking at the elbow joint.
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Painkillers and anti-inflammatories These will have been prescribed by your GP with advice to keep the elbow straight especially at night time.
PhysiotherapyThis is the first treatment for this condition. You may be supplied with a splint to keep your elbow straight at night time. The physiotherapist will perform a thorough assessment of the nerve and may give you stretches and strengthening exercises to do. To be successful you need to carefully follow the exercises and advice the physiotherapist gives you.
SurgeryIf the nerve is subluxing, and you have persistent symptoms, you will be referred to an Orthopaedic Surgeon. They will move the nerve so it fits more “snuggly” in the tunnel. This involves very delicate surgery and you will need to follow the advice of the Physiotherapist afterwards.
You may also need surgery if Physiotherapy and splinting do not help your symptoms, or you notice weakness in your hands. Sometimes the surgeon will send you for tests first called Nerve Conduction Studies to check the nerve before surgery. The Surgeon will release the nerve to allow it to move more freely again. You will have to follow their advice carefully after surgery.
Ulna nerve entrapment
Sensory area of the ulna nerve
What are the treatment options?You will firstly be assessed. The clinician will check your elbow movement, sensation and muscle power and perform some tests specifically for the nerve. They may also press around the painful area. You may also be asked to move your neck to make sure symptoms are not coming from this area.
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Ulna nerve entrapment
Ulna nerve
We value your commentsIf you have any comments or concerns about the care we have provided, please let us know, or, alternatively, you can write to:
Patient Services The Rotherham NHS Foundation TrustRotherham HospitalMoorgate RoadOakwoodRotherhamS60 2UD
Telephone 01709 424461Email [email protected]
If you require this document in another language, large print, braille or audio version, please contact Patient Information on 01709 424281.
Produced by Sally Blair and Vanessa Fletcher-Barrett. November 2011. Revision due November 2013. Version: 1.0©The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust 2011. All rights reserved.
How to contact usMusculoskeletal Clinical Assessment and Treatment ServiceRotherham Community Health CentreGreasbrough RoadRotherhamS60 1RYTelephone 01709 423239
Useful websiteswww.shoulderdoc.co.ukwww.cks.nhs.uk
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Ulna nerve entrapment Ulna nerve entrapment
