Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome of the Wrist
Did you ever try hitting your “funny bone,” and felt shock waves traveling through your hand? Surprisingly, it’s not a bone but a nerve you have struck on. This nerve is called the Ulnar nerve. It plays a crucial role in a human’s anatomy. It runs from your neck through your hand (near the Ulna bone), connecting the little finger and partially the ring finger. Also known as “musician’s nerve”, it provides sensory and motor functions to your hands.
As this nerve passes through the wrist, it will result in the Ulnar Nerve Syndrome, if it gets entrapped in the Guyon canal. As a result of this compression, you may feel tickling and numbness in the hands and fingers. Also, you may have difficulty in using your hand due to weakness. If you ever happen to suffer from Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome, visit a hand specialist in Dallas as soon as possible.
Now let’s dig through the causes and symptoms of Ulnar Nerve Syndrome and how it can be treated.
Causes of Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome –
The most prevalent cause of the Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome is a soft tissue tumor; usually, a benign cyst termed as ganglion originating from the wrist joint. Apart from that, if you are indulging in sports activities, especially cycling and weightlifting, there are more chances that you can face Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome due to repetitive pressure on the wrist area.
The risks of facing Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome increases if you –
- Have had a hand or wrist injury before.
- Use vibrating tools such as Jackhammer.
- Work on computer typing most of the time.
Symptoms of Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome –
The signs and symptoms appear gradually. The symptoms of Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome include weakness and numbness, especially on the hand’s little finger and ring finger. It may become all the more difficult to grip things or coordinate fingers as the condition worsen. It is recommended that you see a specialized hand doctor in Dallas & occupational therapy in Dallas TX as soon as you notice such symptoms.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome –
When you visit your doctor, they will initially start with a physical examination. They will examine your wrist, elbow, and hand. They may look for the diminishing of muscles (atrophy) between your fingers or may tap their finger on your Ulnar nerve to see if you get a tingling feeling. They may also ask you for a few tests like CT scan, MRI, or X-Ray.
Now that you’ve been diagnosed, it’s time to get started on your therapy. Depending on the primary cause of the illness, there are two treatment options.
Surgical treatment
Surgical treatments are suggested to those patients who have cyst growth or Ganglion. An experienced doctor may get the cyst removed, and you can be relieved from the pain. It may take a while to recover from the surgery, but you will be free from all numbness and tingling sensations once the nerve is completely healed.
Non-surgical treatment
Non-surgical treatment involves the examination of the affected area and identifying the cause of the compression. If it is caused due to frequent use or sustained palmar pressure, such activities should be avoided. Protective padding like a wrist brace may also be beneficial. Along with that, anti-inflammatory drugs may also help to alleviate symptoms. Regular exercises also must be added to the routine.
Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome might not look that bad, but it needs proper therapy. A simple tingling feeling might quickly grow into severe pain if not treated promptly. To avoid extreme symptoms, consult the hand doctor in Dallas and get specialized and personalized treatment. Your wellbeing is our priority!