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Nerve entrapment is a group of disorders of the peripheral nerves. This disorder can cause pain and/or loss of motor or sensory function of the nerves due to chronic compression. Entrapped nerves may occur in the torso, limbs, and extremities, and happens most often where the nerves pass through narrow, tunnel-like structures. Nerve entrapment is also referred to colloquially as a pinched nerve.
When nerve entrapment happens in the hand and wrist, it is called Guyon’s canal syndrome; entrapment in the elbow is known as cubital tunnel syndrome. Both involve pinching of the ulnar nerve.
The ulnar nerve transmits electrical signals to muscles in the forearm and hand. It’s also responsible for sensation in the fourth and fifth fingers (ring and little fingers) of the hand, part of the palm, and the underside of the forearm.
Ulnar nerve entrapment (UNE) is the second most common entrapment neuropathy in the upper limbs, affecting up to 20% of all people. Only a small number of these cases will lead to symptoms.
Cubital tunnel syndrome can cause an aching pain on the inside of the elbow. Most of the symptoms, however, occur in the hand.
Muscle wasting. Muscle wasting can happen if the nerve is severely compressed or has been compressed for a long time, and it cannot be reversed. For this reason, it is important to see your orthopedic specialist if symptoms are severe or if they are less severe but have been present for more than six weeks.
At your initial visit, your orthopedic specialist will examine your hand, wrist, and elbow and gather information about your symptoms, medical history, and general health. They may also ask about your work, your activities, and what medications you are taking.
Depending on your symptoms, additional diagnostic tests may be needed. These can include:
As is the case with many orthopedic issues, your doctor may recommend conservative, non-surgical treatments first to see how your nerve entrapment responds.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your physician may recommend you:
For more serious cases that do not respond to physical therapy or other conservative measures, your doctor may recommend ulnar relief surgery. During this surgery, your doctor may make an incision at either the elbow or the wrist.
For conditions of the hand and wrist, the orthopedic specialists at Town Center Orthopaedics provide a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to care that helps restore function and eliminate painful issues like cubital tunnel syndrome. Our goal is to get you back to your favorite activities in as little time as possible.
To schedule your evaluation with a hand and wrist specialist for your orthopedic needs, call Town Center Orthopaedics at (571) 250-5435, or request an appointment online.
TCO provides patients with orthopedic problems the trusted resources and patient-centered advice they need to “Feel Better. Move Better. Be Better.”
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