Ulnar Nerve Entrapment - Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of ulnar nerve entrapment depend on where the nerve is being compressed.

Compression at the elbow, known as cubital tunnel syndrome, causes numbness in the small finger (also known as the "pinky"), along the half (lengthwise) of the ring finger closest to the small finger, and the back half of the hand over the small finger. Initially, the numbness is transient and usually occurs in the middle of the night or in the morning. The sensation is similar to hitting one's "funny bone," but lasts a bit longer. Over time, the numbness is there all of the time, and weakness of the hand sets in. The "ulnar claw," or a position where the small and ring fingers curl up, occurs late in the disease and is a sign the nerve is severely affected.

The claw hand is worse for Guyon canal stenosis, or nerve compression at the wrist. This is an example of the ulnar paradox. Also, if the nerve is compressed at the wrist, the back of the hand will have normal sensation.