Sulcus ulnaris syndrome refers to the situation of a pinched ulnar nerve. It is also known as cubital tunnel syndrome. A pinched ulnar nerve is usually caused by incorrect posture, which exerts pressure on the nerve. This often makes the ring and index fingers feel as if they have fallen asleep. Sometimes they can no longer be moved at all.
Below you will find further information and selected specialists for sulcus ulnaris syndrome.
The ulnar nerve runs through the elbow and is responsible for many different motor movements of the hand. For example, it ensures the movement of the fourth and fifth fingers. It also ensures that the muscles of the ball of the thumb and the back of the hand can be activated.
If the nerve is pinched or damaged, this impairs the functions of the hand muscles and restricts freedom of movement.
The ulnar nerve is located in the elbow. Due to its proximity to the surface of the skin and its exposed position, it is susceptible to the formation of a bottleneck.
A constriction can also form during physical rest. For example, if you fall asleep in an unhealthy position or rest your arms on the table, the nerve is exposed to pressure. This literally pushes it into the arm and pinches it off.
However, pulling movements can also contribute to the formation of a bottleneck. It is particularly advanced when the sulcus ulnaris syndrome results from a misalignment of the arm bones. In this case, surgery is often the last resort.
The syndrome can also occur as a result of polyneuropathy . Polyneuropathies are characterized by disorders of several nerves of the peripheral nervous system and mainly affect
The causes and risk factors for sulcus ulnaris syndrome are thus:
The syndrome manifests itself in sensory disturbances such as tingling (as if the arm has fallen asleep) or numbness. In more severe cases, partial or complete paralysis of the muscles can also occur.
Those affected often feel restricted in everyday life, especially if the syndrome affects the dominant hand. The occasional muscle paralysis makes many activities difficult.
This is not only annoying in everyday life, but can also have an impact on work, depending on the occupation. Who
are often unable to work due to the complications. In any case, their performance is reduced.
In addition, most of those affected also report severe, radiating pain
Chronic progression can lead to a reduction in the muscles in the hand. This can lead to the formation of a so-called claw hand .
Typical symptoms of sulcus ulnaris syndrome are as follows:
First and foremost, neurologists are the right people to contact. Neurologists are experts in nerve diseases and problems. They have a wide range of diagnostic tools at their disposal to diagnose nerve disorders with certainty.
Orthopaedists can also formulate an initial suspicion during the examination. However, they will then refer the patient to a neurologist.
First, the doctor measures the conduction velocity of the nerves. The result shows how quickly the nerves transmit impulses. Damage to the nerves is reflected in the way the nerves function.
If necessary, this is followed by an X-ray examination. In individual cases, it is also informative to examine the elbow using ultrasound(sonography) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).
With the help of these procedures, doctors can usually confirm the presence of sulcus ulnaris syndrome beyond doubt. They must then determine the severity of the syndrome in order to draw up a treatment plan.
If the ulnar nerve is constricted, the affected arm should initially be spared. In mild cases, a recovery phase ensures that the nerve returns to its normal position on its own.
Decongestant and anti-inflammatory medication can accompany the rest and provide additional relief for the nerve. It is also often helpful to support the arm with a positioning splint.
If the sulcus ulnaris syndrome does not resolve on its own with rest, the focus may shift to surgical intervention. It is used to expose the nerve, known as neurolysis.
During this simple procedure, the surgeons loosen adhesions and remove irritations.
If the syndrome occurs as a result of a chronic misalignment in the anatomy, a more extensive surgical procedure may be required. This involves repositioning the nerve.
The surgical procedure is usually associated with an immediate reduction in pain. However, sensation and mobility may be restricted for the time being.
The elbow is usually functional again immediately after the operation. This means that it can be used, but should generally be spared. The length of the recovery period depends on the type of surgery (usually 2 - 6 weeks).
A follow-up examination should be carried out at some interval (e.g. after six months). The nerve conduction velocity is measured again. The result shows whether the operation was successful.
The Leading Medicine Guide's quality assurance is ensured by the following acceptance prerequisites.
