Most people are probably familiar withcarpal tunnel syndromewhere impingement of the wrist (carpal tunnel)causes pain, tingling, and numbness primarily in the thumb, two adjacent fingers, and part of the palm.
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The Nerves of the Hand and Wrist
To understand why these syndromes occur requires a basic understanding of hand anatomy. The hand is made up of a complex network of nerves comprised of three main types: the radial, median, and ulnar nerves. Each of these nerves has a different function in the hand:
The medical term “ulnar neuropathy” simply means that something is wrong with the ulnar nerve. When this happens, it is usually the result of something pressing on the nerve (like when something hits your elbow and you feel that jarring pain down your arm).
As nerves travel from the spinal cord down the arm to the hand, they sometimes pass through tight spaces where they are more vulnerable to damage and compression. The two most common places for ulnar nerve compression are the elbow and the wrist.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
The ulnar nerve (i.e., the “funny bone” nerve) originates from the spine and runs down the length of your arm.Cubital tunnel syndromeoccurs specifically when the ulnar nerve is compressed at the elbow.
Cubital tunnel syndrome can also cause radiating pain in the forearm and weakness in the muscles of the hand. In severe cases, muscle atrophy and clawing of the hand can occur.
Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome
In later stages, ulnar tunnel syndrome can cause hand weakness due toatrophyor shrinkage of the hypothenar and interosseous muscles (muscles situated deep in your hand). In the most severe cases, atrophy can lead to clawing of the hand.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A physical examination is usually all that is needed to confirm a diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy. If the symptoms are severe and require more aggressive treatment, your healthcare provider may order anelectromyogramor nerve conduction studies.
Treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome and ulnar tunnel treatment are similar. The first aim is to relieve any inflammation that might be compressing the nerve. This involves a combination of rest, proper mechanics, and supportive splinting. A pain reliever like ibuprofen may also be prescribed.
With that being said, there are several differences in how the treatment is carried out.
If surgery is performed, a structured course of physical therapy would follow to regain strength and flexion of the elbow or wrist. Recovery can take up to 12 weeks.
A Word From Verywell
If you suspectnerve injuryin your wrist or hand, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, who may refer you to a specialist. Conditions like cubital tunnel syndrome and ulnar tunnel syndrome require special tests and treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lleva JMC, Munakomi S, Chang KV.Ulnar Neuropathy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Chauhan M, Anand P, M Das J.Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Aleksenko D, Varacallo M.Guyon Canal Syndrome. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Shah CM, Calfee RP, Gelberman RH, Goldfarb CA.Outcomes of rigid night splinting and activity modification in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.J Hand Surg Am. 2013;38(6):1125–1130.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.02.039American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo.Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Elbow (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome).American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH). Handcare: The Upper Extremity Expert.Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.Additional ReadingBednar MS, Light TR, Bindra R.Chapter 9. Hand Surgery.In: Skinner HB, McMahon PJ. eds.Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Orthopedics, 5e. McGraw Hill; 2014.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lleva JMC, Munakomi S, Chang KV.Ulnar Neuropathy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Chauhan M, Anand P, M Das J.Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Aleksenko D, Varacallo M.Guyon Canal Syndrome. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Shah CM, Calfee RP, Gelberman RH, Goldfarb CA.Outcomes of rigid night splinting and activity modification in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.J Hand Surg Am. 2013;38(6):1125–1130.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.02.039American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo.Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Elbow (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome).American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH). Handcare: The Upper Extremity Expert.Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.Additional ReadingBednar MS, Light TR, Bindra R.Chapter 9. Hand Surgery.In: Skinner HB, McMahon PJ. eds.Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Orthopedics, 5e. McGraw Hill; 2014.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lleva JMC, Munakomi S, Chang KV.Ulnar Neuropathy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Chauhan M, Anand P, M Das J.Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Aleksenko D, Varacallo M.Guyon Canal Syndrome. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Shah CM, Calfee RP, Gelberman RH, Goldfarb CA.Outcomes of rigid night splinting and activity modification in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.J Hand Surg Am. 2013;38(6):1125–1130.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.02.039American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo.Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Elbow (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome).American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH). Handcare: The Upper Extremity Expert.Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.
Lleva JMC, Munakomi S, Chang KV.Ulnar Neuropathy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
Chauhan M, Anand P, M Das J.Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
Aleksenko D, Varacallo M.Guyon Canal Syndrome. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
Shah CM, Calfee RP, Gelberman RH, Goldfarb CA.Outcomes of rigid night splinting and activity modification in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome.J Hand Surg Am. 2013;38(6):1125–1130.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.02.039
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo.Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Elbow (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome).
American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH). Handcare: The Upper Extremity Expert.Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.
Bednar MS, Light TR, Bindra R.Chapter 9. Hand Surgery.In: Skinner HB, McMahon PJ. eds.Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Orthopedics, 5e. McGraw Hill; 2014.
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