Cubital Tunnel Syndrome - The Ulnar Nerve

If you feel tingling or numbness in your ring and little fingers, chances are it isn't carpal tunnel syndrome. It can be from several different conditions. The most common is the ulnar nerve. Ever hit your elbow's "crazy bone /funny bone". That's your ulnar nerve.

SYMPTOMS - What does it feel like?
Here is a list of the most common Ulnar Nerve symptoms.
Numbness in one or sometimes both hands.
Numbness in the "heel" of your hand, the ring and the little finger.
Numbness starts while holding a phone to your ear, leaning on your elbow or keeping your elbow bent.
Sometimes there is aching over the back or inside of your elbow or the little finger side of your wrist.
Sometimes you feel "shocks" from your elbow to your little finger - like "hitting my funny bone".

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Who gets ulnar nerve problems?
Lots of people. It's a very common problem that affects both men and women. There are several places where the ulnar nerve gets problems.
The most common place to have a problem is in the elbow - "the funny bone".

Why does it happen?
There are many causes for ulnar nerve problems in the elbow. Sometimes your strike your "funny bone" and don't think about it much afterwards. A few weeks later, the symptoms begin. That's why it's sometimes called a "Tardy Ulnar Neuritis", meaning the symptoms are slow to develop after striking it.

Will it get worse and can I wait too long to get help?
Yes, it can progress to include pain, numbness and weakness in the hand. The muscles become smaller (atrophy) and power grasping can be affected. Fine coordinated movements are difficult.
If you are starting to feel the tingling or numbness more often or all the time, get it checked.

How do I get it checked? What tests do I need?
It's a good idea to see a person who understands the details of nerve and muscle problems. Good sources for help include Hand surgeons, Orthopedic Surgeons and Physical Therapists who specialize in hand and nerve problems.
We recommend that you have electromyography and nerve conduction studies to be sure where the problem is and how bad it may be.

Can other nerve problems feel the same?
Yes, the ulnar nerve may be compressed, irritated or injured in your wrist, your axilla (arm pit), and above your collar bone. Disk problems in the lower part of your neck can feel somewhat like it.
That's why it's important that you are checked by knowledgeable health care providers.

What can I do to help?
If the problem is in your elbow, there are two very important things to do - or actually two things you should not do.
First, don't lean on your elbow, not when you hold a phone receiver and not on an armrest.That puts pressure directly on the nerve.
Second, don't keep your elbow bent. Not even when you're sleeping. Flexing your elbow more than 90 degrees stretches the nerve and presses it against the bone underneath it.