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Updated: Dec 27 2021

Ulnar Neuropathies

  • Introduction
    • The most common ulnar neuropathies are
      • cubital tunnel syndrome
        • caused by ulnar nerve compression at the elbow
      • ulnar tunnel syndrome
        • caused by ulnar nerve compression at the wrist in Guyon's canal
  • Anatomy
    • The ulnar nerve is a branch of the medial cord of the brachial plexus
      • ulnar sensory function
        • sensory branches
          • dorsal cutaneous branch
          • palmar cutaneous branch
          • superficial terminal branches
      • ulnar nerve innervates
        • forearm
          • flexor carpi ulnaris
          • flexor digitorum profundus III and IV
        • thenar
          • adductor pollicis
          • deep head of flexor pollicis brevis (FPB)
        • fingers
          • dorsal and palmar interossei
          • 3rd and 4th lumbrical (1st and 2nd by median nerve)
        • digiti minimi
          • abductor digiti minimi
          • opponens digiti minimi
          • flexor digiti minimi
    • Ulnar nerve at elbow
      • see medial approach to elbow
      • pierces intramuscular septum at Arcade of Struthers
      • enters cubital tunnel which is formed by
        • roof formed by Osborne's ligament (travels from the medial epicondyle to the olecranon)
        • floor formed by posterior and transverse bands of MCL
    • Ulnar nerve at wrist
      • nerve enters Guyon's canal which is created by
        • floor formed by tranverse carpal ligament, pisohamate ligament, pisometacarpal ligament, and opponens digiti minimi
        • roof formed by volar carpal ligament
        • ulnar wall formed by Pisiform and abductor digiti mini
        • radial wall formed by Hook of hamate
  • Presentation
    • Symptoms
      • same for both cubital and ulnar tunnel syndrome
      • paresthesias over small finger and ulnar half of 4th finger and ulnar dorsum of the hand
        • exacerbating activities include cell phone use (excessive flexion)
      • night symptoms
        • caused by sleeping with arm in flexion
      • trauma
        • traction of the upper extremity, fracture of elbow
        • symptoms can be delayed in tardy ulnar palsy
    • Physical exam
      • deformity
        • claw hand deformity
      • sensory
        • decreased sensation in ulnar 1 1/2 digits
      • motor
        • weakened grasp
        • weak pinch
      • provocative tests for cubital tunnel syndrome
        • Tinnel sign positive over cubital tunnel
  • imaging
    • Radiographs
      • usually normal
    • EMG / NCV
      • helpful to establish the diagnosis
  • Treatment
    • Nonoperative
      • NSAIDS, activity modification, and night time bracing
    • Operative
      • ulnar nerve decompression
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