Ulnar nerve entrapment occurs when the ulnar nerve in the arm becomes compressed or irritated. The ulnar nerve is one of the three main nerves in your arm. It travels from your neck down into your hand, and can be constricted in several places along the way. Depending upon where it occurs, this pressure on the nerve can cause numbness or pain in your elbow, hand, wrist, or fingers.
Sometimes the ulnar nerve gets compressed at the wrist, beneath the collarbone, or as it comes out of the spinal cord in the neck. The most common place where the nerve gets compressed is behind the elbow.
When the nerve compression occurs at the elbow, it is called “cubital tunnel syndrome.”
At the elbow, the ulnar nerve travels through a tunnel of tissue (the cubital tunnel) that runs under a bump of bone at the inside of your elbow. This bony bump is called the medial epicondyle. The spot where the nerve runs under the medial epicondyle is commonly referred to as the “funny bone.” At the funny bone the nerve is close to your skin, and bumping it causes a shock-like feeling.
Beyond the elbow, the ulnar nerve travels under muscles on the inside of your forearm and into your hand on the side of the palm with the little finger. As the nerve enters the hand, it travels through another tunnel (Guyon’s canal).
The ulnar nerve gives feeling to the little finger and half of the ring finger. It also controls most of the little muscles in the hand that help with fine movements, and some of the bigger muscles in the forearm that help you make a strong grip.
In many cases of cubital tunnel syndrome, the exact cause is not known. The nerve is especially vulnerable to compression at the elbow because it must travel through a narrow space with very little soft tissue to protect it.
Common Causes of Compression
There are several things that can cause pressure on the nerve at the elbow:
When your bend your elbow, the ulnar nerve stretches around the boney ridge of the medial epicondyle. Because this can irritate the nerve, keeping your elbow bent for long periods or repeatedly bending your elbow can cause painful symptoms. For example, many people sleep with their elbows bent. This can aggravate symptoms of ulnar nerve compression and cause you to wake up at night with your fingers asleep.
Cubital tunnel syndrome can cause an aching pain on the inside of the elbow.
Most of the symptoms, however, occur in your hand.
Nerve gliding exercises can provide some relief, but there are several nonsurgical treatments that can relieve pain by reducing inflammation and pressure on the nerve.
If you have mild to moderate symptoms, nonsurgical treatment will likely be enough. But if you have more severe symptoms, you may eventually need surgery if other treatments don’t work.
The treatment recommended by your doctor will depend on your symptoms and the underlying cause. But they’ll likely start by finding ways you can adjust your posture when using your affected arm.
These include:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also provide temporary pain relief.
If you have entrapment at your elbow, you can also try wrapping a towel around your extended arm at night. This should stop you from sleeping with your elbow bent at more than 45 degrees. Do this for three to six months.
For entrapment at the wrist, try using a wrist splint to keep your wrist in a neutral position while still allowing for use of your fingers. Try to wear it at night for 1 to 12 weeks.
Immobilizing your arm in a brace for a few weeks or longer can help you to avoid additional damage. Your doctor may also suggest wearing a splint at night to prevent your arm from bending while you sleep.
Your doctor may recommend hand therapy, which is performed by physical and occupational therapists at NYU Langone. Hand therapy involves strengthening and stretching exercises for your hand as well as your arm and elbow. NYU Langone therapists certified in hand therapy can work with you to develop an exercise plan specific to your needs. Although you may initially visit your therapist several times per week, you can eventually perform the exercises at home.