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Updated: Mar 25 2017

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
  • 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
Studies
  • Radiographs
    • usually normal
  • EMG / NCV
    • helpful to establish the diagnosis
Treatment
  • Nonoperative
    • NSAIDS, activity modification, and night time bracing
  • Operative
    • ulnar nerve decompression
Question
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