Nerve Issues

Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Elbow (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome)

The ulnar nerve travels from your neck down into your hand and can be constricted in several places along the way. The most common place for compression of the nerve is behind the inside part of the elbow. Numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers are common symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome. In most cases, symptoms can be managed with conservative treatments like changes in activities and bracing. If conservative methods do not improve your symptoms, or if the nerve compression is causing muscle weakness or damage in your hand, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Learn more about ulnar nerve entrapment.

Ulnar Neuritis

When the elbow is bent, the ulnar nerve stretches around the bony bump at the end of the humerus. In throwing athletes, the ulnar nerve is stretched repeatedly and can even slip out of place, causing painful snapping. This stretching or snapping leads to irritation of the nerve. Pain that resembles electric shocks starts at the inner elbow and runs along the nerve into the forearm. Numbness, tingling, or pain in the small and ring fingers may occur during or immediately after throwing and may also persist during periods of rest. If painful symptoms are not relieved by nonsurgical methods and the athlete desires to continue throwing, surgical treatment may be considered to move the nerve to the front of the elbow to prevent stretching or snapping. This is called an anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve.

Learn more about ulnar neuritis.