CUBITAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
Nerves can not only be irritated as they exit the spine, but also at distant sites away from the spine. These are known as peripheral entrapments.
The ulnar nerve arises from the medial cord of the brachial plexus, a branch of nerve fibres which stem from the neck. This nerve supplies the muscular strength to most of the small muscles of the hand, the flexor carpi ulnaris and to half of the flexor carpi profundus.
In addition, the ulnar nerve supplies sensation to the inner part of the hand and arm, as can be seen below.
Because the ulnar nerve is close to the skin along certain points along its course down the arm into the hand, the nerve is vulnerable to injury at certain sites, namely in the cubital tunnel of the elbow and also the Guyon’s canal of the wrist.
At the elbow, the cubital tunnel is located behind the medial epicondyle (“funny bone”) and is formed by muscle, ligament and bone. The ulnar nerve can become irritated within this tunnel and, as a result, the patient often experiences pins and needles/numbness along the inner forearm and hand in the distribution of the ulnar nerve (see diagram), with possible weakness of the muscles that this nerve innervates. This condition often occurs in patients with tight wrist and finger flexors or patients who spend prolonged periods leaning on their elbows or adopting a position which results in prolonged stretching of the ulnar nerve within this confined space.
(The list of conditions given above and subsequent explanations are intended as a general guide and should not be considered a replacement for a full medical examination. Furthermore, we do not purport to treat all the conditions listed. Should you wish to discuss any of these conditions with our chiropractors, please do not hesitate to phone the clinic on 020 7374 2272 or email enquiries@body-motion.co.uk).
Our team of chiropractors and massage therapists are on hand to answer any questions you may have, so get in touch today via enquiries@body-motion.co.uk or on +44 (0)20 7374 2272.