Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Ulnar nerve dysfunction

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Neuropathy - ulnar nerve; Ulnar nerve palsy


Symptoms
  • Abnormal sensations in the little finger and part of the ring finger, usually on the palm side
  • Loss of coordination of the fingers
  • Numbness, decreased sensation
  • Pain
  • Tingling, burning sensation
  • Weakness of the hand

Pain or numbness may awaken you from sleep. Activities such as tennis or golf may make the condition worse.


Signs and tests

A careful history of when the problem started and what you might have been doing that could have injured the nerve is important.

An exam of the hand and wrist can reveal ulnar nerve dysfunction. Signs may include:

  • "Claw-like" deformity (in severe cases)
  • Difficulty moving the fingers
  • Wasting of the hand muscles (in severe cases)
  • Weakness of hand flexing

Tests may be needed, depending on your history, symptoms, and findings from the physical exam. These tests may include:

  • Blood tests
  • Imaging scans
  • Nerve conduction tests
  • Recording of the electrical activity in muscles (EMG)
  • X-rays

Review Date: 09/26/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)