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Ulnar palsy
Ulnar Nerve Palsy is paralysis caused by damage, compression or trapping
of the ulnar nerve as it makes its way down the length of the arm. This
occurs due to nerve compression at the elbow (cubital tunnel) or at the
wrist (Guyon's canal). Muscle weakness and atrophy predominate the clinical
presentation.
The cubital tunnel is in this region commonly referred to as the 'funny
bone', the area where the ulnar nerve crosses the elbow joint. The wrist
is made up of a number of small bones. Two of these bones and their
associated ligaments form a canal that runs through the wrist (Guyon's
canal). As the ulnar nerve crosses the wrist, it passes through this canal
before it branches to supply some of the fingers in the hand.
Hence depending on the area of affection two clinical syndromes exist:
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome occurs when this area becomes irritated.
Causes
-
Bending of the elbow causes the nerve to stretch several
millimetres. Frequent bending of the elbow in activities such as pulling
levers, reaching or lifting causes the nerve to become irritated and
inflamed.
-
When the nerve is stretched over the elbow the nerve
can sometimes move or actually snap over the medial epicondyle causing
irritation.
-
Leaning on the elbow, resting it on an elbow rest
during a long distance drive or running machinery may cause repetitive
pressure and irritation on the nerve.
-
A direct hit on the cubital tunnel may damage the ulnar
nerve.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome primarily involve numbness
and tingling in the ring and little finger and the sides and back of the
hand. These complaints or symptoms worsen when the elbow is bent i.e when
holding a telephone, resting the head on the hand and crossing the arms
over the chest. The hand may become weaker resulting in trouble opening
bottles or jars. The hand may not perform as well as it did before and
there may be a tendency to drop things. Clawing may occur in the ring
and little fingers.
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Guyon's Canal Syndrome
Guyon's Canal is a small tunnel that lies within the wrist (between
the Hamate and Pisiform bones of the hand, the roof of the canal is formed
by the Volar carpal ligament), it is through this tunnel that the ulnar
nerve and artery pass within a neurovascular bundle. The canal is one
of the principal sites of ulnar nerve compression.
Guyon's Canal Syndrome is numbness and tingling in the ring and little
fingers caused by irritation of the ulnar nerve as it passes through Guyon's
Canal.
Causes
Guyon's Canal Syndrome arises when there is pressure on the ulnar nerve
within the canal.
This pressure can be caused by:
- A cyst within the canal.
- Clotting of the ulnar artery.
- Fracture of the hamate bone.
- Arthritis of the wrist bones.
Symptoms
No matter what the cause of compression of the ulnar nerve, the symptoms
are the usually the same.
They include:
- Pins and needles in the ring and little fingers.
- A burning pain of the wrist and hand.
- Decreased sensation and clumsiness in the hand.
- In extreme cases, compression of the ulnar nerve at Guyon's Canal
can result in a phenomenon known as Claw Hand.
- In all cases of compression of the ulnar nerve at Guyon's Canal,
sensory supply to the skin of the back of the hand is spared.
- This is because the branch of the nerve that supplies this area
(the dorsal cutaneous nerve) leaves the main trunk of the ulnar nerve
in the arm before it reaches Guyon's Canal.
Treatment
Nonsurgical therapy is composed of elbow or wrist splints to limit
mobility in addition to an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen.
Surgical decompression maybe required in some cases. Cutting of the
ulnar nerve may occur following a stab wound or fracture to the arm and
suturing of the nerve can retain limited function of the hand.
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