Ulnar Neuropathy Symptoms

The ulnar nerve runs through the entire arm, and ulnar neuropathy results when this nerve becomes inflamed or compressed. The most common place this happens is between the elbow and wrist. Everyone is probably familiar with the obvious ulnar nerve discomfort resulting from hitting one's elbow in just the right spot, or the "funny bone."

Causes

• Ulnar neuropathy can be caused by repetitive stress on this nerve, and is a fairly common injury in avid cyclists and certain musicians such as keyboardists. It also can occur from a blow to the elbow. Onset typically occurs slowly, so most people afflicted are at least middle-aged.

Most Common Symptoms

• The most prevalent ulnar neuropathy symptoms are numbness, weakness, or prickly sensations mainly affecting the ring and pinky fingers. The person may have a weak grip, or be unable to easily move the thumb to forefinger.

Inflexible Fingers

• Inability to spread the fingers or to straighten the pinky and ring fingers is also common. The person's hand may eventually take on a claw shape.

Muscle Wasting

• Muscles on top of the hand can show wasting, so that the tendons are unusually prominent.

Pain

• If pain occurs, it usually affects the elbow. Pain also sometimes affects the lower arm down into the ring and pinky fingers, or only in those two fingers.