10 Ulnar Nerve Entrapment Symptoms

By adr.ian

Reviewed: dr. vanta

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. Becker, Rachel E. 'Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Ulnar Nerve.' StatPearls /[Internet/]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 31 July 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499892/
• 2. 'Numbness.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 20 Apr. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/numbness/basics/definition/sym-20050938
• 3. Cui, Mengzhao, et al. 'Grip Strength and the Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Cohort Studies.' Frontiers, 4 Jan. 2021, www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2021.625551/full
• 4. 'Why Is It Called Tennis Elbow?' New England Baptist Hospital, 30 Oct. 2018, www.nebh.org/blog/why-is-it-called-tennis-elbow/
• 5. Lane, Robert. 'Claw Hand.' StatPearls /[Internet/]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 25 Mar. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507781/

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The ulnar nerve travels from the shoulder to the pinky finger, and although it passes through the forearm, it's mainly responsible for the movement of an individual's hand.¹Becker, Rachel E. ‘Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Ulnar Nerve.’ StatPearls /[Internet/]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 31 July 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499892/ It's also the nerve responsible for the painful, tingling sensation a person experiences when they strike their elbow, commonly known as the funny bone.

Damage to the ulnar nerve may cause problems with the wrist and the hand. It may restrict a person's movement, affect their grip and cause some degree of pain and numbness. These are all ulnar nerve entrapment symptoms.

Hypoesthesia

An individual may experience hypoesthesia when the ulnar nerve in their arm becomes compressed or irritated, causing ulnar nerve entrapment. Hypoesthesia is the medical term for a partial loss of sensation in a particular part of the body.²‘Numbness.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 20 Apr. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/numbness/basics/definition/sym-20050938 Ulnar nerve entrapment may cause hypoesthesia in the hand.

Loss of sensation isn't uncommon and occurs in the fourth and fifth fingers. A person with hypoesthesia may lose their sense of touch and ability to feel pain and temperature differences. In addition to the numbness, hypoesthesia may be accompanied by pins and needles.