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Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow

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Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow
SpecialtyNeurology Edit this on Wikidata

Ulnar nerve entrapment is a condition where the ulnar nerve becomes trapped or pinched due to some physiological abnormalities.

Anatomy of Ulnar Nerve

Classification

Ulnar nerve entrapment is classified by location of entrapment. The ulnar nerve passes through several small tunnels and outlets through the medial upper extremity, and at these points the nerve is vulnerable to compression or entrapment—a so-called "pinched nerve". The nerve is particularly vulnerable to injury when there has been a disruption in the normal anatomy. The most common site of ulnar nerve entrapment is at the elbow, followed by the wrist.[1]

Ulnar entrapment can also be classified by specific local causes, including:[2]

Cubital tunnel syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome is used to describe ulnar nerve impingement along the cubital tunnel at the medial edge of the elbow. It is the most common location of nerve impingement in the elbow area.[5] The cubital tunnel is a channel which allows the ulnar nerve to travel over the elbow. It is bordered by the medial epicondyle of the humerus, the olecranon process of the ulna and the tendinous arch joining the humeral and ulnar heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle.[6] Compression of the nerve may lead to a tingling or 'pins and needles' sensation along the 4th and 5th fingers of the hand. While most cases are minor and resolve spontaneously with time, chronic compression or repetitive trauma may cause more persistent problems. Commonly cited scenarios include:

  • Sleeping with the arm folded behind neck, elbows bent.
  • Pressing the elbows upon the arms of a chair while typing.
  • Resting or bracing the elbow on the arm rest of a vehicle.
  • Bench pressing.
  • Intense exercising and strain involving the elbow.

Guyon's canal syndrome

Main article: Guyon's canal syndrome

Guyon's canal syndrome, or ulnar tunnel syndrome, refers to nerve compression affecting the ulnar nerve as it passes through an anatomical space in the wrist called Guyon's canal.[7] It can present with either motor or sensory or mixed symptoms. A typical presentation consist of weakness of the 4th and 5th fingers of one hand; it may be described as a feeling of "pins & needles" that may progress to decreased sensation in those same fingers or a burning pain in the wrist. This form of ulnar entrapment has been associated local trauma, fractures, ganglion cysts,[8] avid cyclists who experience repetitive trauma against bicycle handlebars.[9] Ulnar nerve entrapment has been described as part of two work-related syndromes: so-called "hypothenar hammer syndrome," seen in workers who repetitively use a hammer, and "occupational neuritis" due to hard, repetitive compression against a desk surface.[8]

Signs and symptoms

In general, ulnar neuropathy will result in symptoms affecting the fourth and fifth —the ring & pinky—fingers, as well as various intrinsic muscles of the hand. Proximally, the ulnar nerve consists of a "mix" of both sensory and motor innervation, more distally separating into distinct motor and sensory branches in the hand. Thus, symptoms of ulnar nerve entrapment are variably either motor, sensory, or a mixture of both depending on which part of the nerve is affected. Motor symptoms are weakness in muscles normally controlled by ulnar nerve. Sensory symptoms or paresthesias include numbness or tingling in the areas of the hand that receive sensory input via the ulnar nerve.

Compression at the elbow, known as cubital tunnel syndrome, causes numbness in the 5th (pinky) finger, along the half (lengthwise) of the 4th (ring) finger closest to the 5th finger, and the back half of the hand over the 5th finger. Initially, the numbness is transient and primarily occurs in the middle of the night or in the morning. The sensation is similar to hitting one's "funny bone," but lasts a bit longer. Over time, the numbness is there all of the time, and weakness of the hand sets in. The "ulnar claw," or a position where the small and ring fingers curl up, occurs late in the disease and is a sign the nerve is severely affected.

The claw hand is worse for Guyon canal stenosis, or nerve compression at the wrist. This is an example of the ulnar paradox. Also, if the nerve is compressed at the wrist, the back of the hand will have normal sensation.

Diagnosis

The distinct innervation of the hand usually enables diagnosis of an ulnar nerve impingement by symptoms alone. Ulnar nerve damage that causes paralysis to these muscles will result in a characteristic ulnar claw position of the hand at rest. Clinical tests such as the card test for Froment sign, can be easily performed for assessment of ulnar nerve. However, a complete diagnosis should identify the source of the impingement, and radiographic imaging may be necessary to determine or rule-out an underlying cause.

Imaging studies, such as ultrasound or MRI, may reveal anatomic abnormalities or masses responsible for the impingement. Additionally, imaging may show secondary signs of nerve damage that further confirm the diagnosis of impingement. Signs of nerve damage include flattening of the nerve, swelling of the nerve proximal to site of injury, abnormal appearance of nerve, or characteristic changes to the muscles innervated by the nerve.[10]

Differential diagnoses

Symptoms of ulnar neuropathy or neuritis do not necessarily indicate an actual physical impingement of the nerve; indeed, any injury to the ulnar nerve may result in identical symptoms. In addition, other functional disturbances may result in irritation to the nerve and are not true "impingement". For example, anterior dislocation and "snapping" of ulnar nerve across the medial epicondyle of the elbow joint can result in ulnar neuropathy.[11]

Entrapment of other major sensory nerves of the upper extremities result in deficits in other patterns of distribution. Entrapment of the median nerve causes carpal tunnel syndrome, which is characterized by numbness in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger. Compression of the radial nerve causes numbness of the back of the hand and thumb, and is much more rare.

A simple way of differentiating between significant median and ulnar nerve injury is by testing for weakness in flexing and extending certain fingers of the hand. Median nerve injuries are associated with difficulty flexing the index and middle finger when attempting to make a fist. However, in the ulnar nerve lesion the pinky and ring finger cannot be unflexed when attempting to extend the fingers.

Some people are affected by multiple nerve compressions, which can complicate diagnosis.[5]

Prevention

Cubital tunnel syndrome may be prevented or reduced by maintaining good posture and proper use of the elbow and arms, such as wearing an arm splint while sleeping to maintain the arm is in a straight position instead of keeping the elbow tightly bent.[5][12] A recent example of this is popularization of the concept of cell phone elbow.[12]

Treatment

While pain symptoms may be effectively controlled using medications such as NSAID, amitriptyline, or vitamin B6 supplementation, effective treatment generally requires resolving the underlying cause.

Mild to moderate symptoms, such as pain or paresthesia, are treated conservatively with non-surgical approaches. It is important to identify positions and activities that aggravate symptoms and to find ways to avoid them.[5] For example, if the person experiences symptoms when holding a telephone up to the head, then the use of a telephone headset will provide immediate symptomatic relief and reduce the likelihood of further damage and inflammation to the nerve. For cubital tunnel syndrome, it is recommended to avoid repetitive elbow flexion and also avoiding prolonged elbow flexion during sleep, as this position puts stress of the ulnar nerve.[13]

Surgery is recommended for those who are not improved with conservative therapy or those with serious or progressive symptoms. The surgical approaches vary, and may depend on the location or cause of impingement. Cubital and ulnar tunnel release can be performed wide awake with no general anaesthesia, no regional anaesthesia, no sedation and no tourniquet.[14]

Epidemiology

People with diabetes mellitus are at higher risk for any kind of peripheral neuropathy, including ulnar nerve entrapments.[5]

Cubital tunnel syndrome is more common in people who spend long periods of time with their elbows bent, such as when holding a telephone to the head.[5] Flexing the elbow while the arm is pressed against a hard surface, such as leaning against the edge of a table, is a significant risk factor.[5] The use of vibrating tools at work or other causes of repetitive activities increase the risk, including throwing a baseball.[5]

Damage to or deformity of the elbow joint increases the risk of cubital tunnel syndrome.[5] Additionally, people who have other nerve entrapments elsewhere in the arm and shoulder are at higher risk for ulnar nerve entrapment. There is some evidence that soft tissue compression of the nerve pathway in the shoulder by a bra strap over many years can cause symptoms of ulnar neuropathy, especially in very large-breasted women.[5]

Prognosis

Most patients diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome have advanced disease (atrophy, static numbness, weakness) that might reflect permanent nerve damage that will not recover after surgery.[15] When diagnosed prior to atrophy, weakness or static numbness, the disease can be arrested with treatment. Mild and intermittent symptoms often resolve spontaneously.[5]

References

  1. ^ Posner, MA (September–October 1998). "Compressive ulnar neuropathies at the elbow: I. Etiology and diagnosis". J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 6 (5): 282–288. PMID 9753755.
  2. ^ Guardia, Charles. "Ulnar Neuropathy". Medscape. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  3. ^ http://www.ajronline.org/doi/full/10.2214/AJR.10.4817
  4. ^ http://www.p2sportscare.com/rehab/printable-exercise-instructions/ulnar-nerve-stretch/
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Cutts, S. (2007). "Cubital tunnel syndrome". Postgraduate Medical Journal. 83 (975): 28–31. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2006.047456. PMC 2599973. PMID 17267675.
  6. ^ Moore, Keith L. (2010). Clinically Oriented Anatomy 6th Ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins. p. 770. ISBN 978-07817-7525-0.
  7. ^ "Guyon's Canal Syndrome".
  8. ^ a b Shea JD, McClain EJ (1969). "Ulnar-nerve compression syndromes at and below the wrist". J Bone Joint Surg Am. 51 (6): 1095–1103.
  9. ^ Patterson JM, Jaggars MM, Boyer MI (2003). "Ulnar and median nerve palsy in long-distance cyclists. A prospective study". Am J Sports Med. 31 (4): 585–589. PMID 12860549. {{cite journal}}: line feed character in |title= at position 10 (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Miller TT, Reinus WR (September 2010). "Nerve entrapment syndromes of the elbow, forearm, and wrist". AJR Am J Roentgenol. 195 (3): 585–94. doi:10.2214/AJR.10.4817. PMID 20729434.
  11. ^ Carroll, John. "Snapping Triceps". RadSource.
  12. ^ a b Thomas, Jennifer (2 June 2009). "'Cell Phone Elbow' -- A New Ill for the Wired Age". HealthDay News. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  13. ^ Guardia, Charles F (24 August 2014). "Ulnar Neuropathy Treatment & Management: Non-surgical therapy". Medscape.
  14. ^ Bismil QMK, Lowe S, Viner L, Bismil MSK. The wide awake approach to ulnar nerve entrapment: results of an integrated one stop wide awake surgical pathway. OA Case Reports 2013 Jun 21;2(5):44.http://www.oapublishinglondon.com/images/article/pdf/1371836999.pdf
  15. ^ Mallette, Paige; Zhao, Meijuan; Zurakowski, David; Ring, David (2007). "Muscle Atrophy at Diagnosis of Carpal and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome". The Journal of Hand Surgery. 32 (6): 855–8. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2007.03.009. PMID 17606066.

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