Ulnar Nerve Entrapment

What is Ulnar Nerve Entrapment?

Ulnar Nerve Entrapment is typically the result of abnormal pressure building up around the nerve, impairing its sensation and normal function. Although the pressure on this nerve is usually caused by compression in the elbow (funny bone) area, the discomfort, numbness and pain this condition causes is usually experienced in the ring finger, little finger and palm of the affected hand. If left untreated this condition can go on to cause impaired joint mobility in the fingers and hand, irreversible muscle wastage and a permanent lack of strength and handgrip. 

Why does Ulnar Nerve Entrapment occur?

Ulnar Nerve Entrapment usually occurs when the Ulnar Nerve becomes compressed, trapped and inflamed by its surrounding structures. The reasons for this condition is not yet fully understood, although individuals who tend to lie on their arms in a curled up position in bed seem to experience this condition more frequently. Individuals who suffer with this condition usually report that they experience more symptoms when their affected arm is in a bent position, such as when they are driving or using the telephone.

How is Ulnar Nerve Entrapment treated without surgery?

The use of regular anti-inflammatory medications and enforced rest of the affected elbow joint by splinting it for several months can often alleviate this condition if it is caught at an early enough stage. In addition, physiotherapy aimed at progressively relaxing the aggravated nerve and building up general elbow strength can also prove useful in preventing a re-occurrence once any improvement is achieved.

How is Ulnar Nerve Entrapment treated with surgery?

A surgical procedure to resolve Ulnar Nerve Entrapment is typically avoided for all but the more severe and debilitating cases and those that have failed to respond to conservative treatment.

Surgical intervention is aimed at releasing the trapped nerve, repairing any damaged tissues and clearing sufficient space around the nerve and within the Cubital Tunnel area of the elbow to allow free movement of the joint without further compression and irritation on the nerves surface. This procedure can be performed under general anaesthetic (you will be asleep) or under regional anaesthetic (you will be awake) and will take around an hour to perform dependant on the complexity of the condition.

On occasions the Ulnar Nerve may prove difficult to decompress due to the nature of the surrounding tissues and in that instance the nerve will be repositioned from behind the elbow joint to a new position on front of the joint. This procedure is called a 'Transposition' procedure.

What is the recovery like?

Once a patient is fully recovered from the effects of anaesthetic they are normally quickly encouraged to be as active and mobile as possible to avoid joint stiffness and other complications such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) from developing. It is therefore normal for patients to be encouraged to take a short walk and perform gentle postoperative exercises with guidance from a physiotherapist on the day of surgery.

Following a progressive improvement of mobility and pain control patients are normally discharged from hospital on the day of, or 24 hours following surgery. By the time the required level of recovery is achieved for discharge, patients are normally fully mobile, wearing a light weight dressing and support splint on the effected elbow joint, eating and drinking normally and taking only mild analgesia (pain killers).

Over the next 6 weeks patients will be expected to work on improving their new elbow joints mobility and stability through a dedicated and progressive upper limb physiotherapy regime.

Your Consultant Surgeon will assess your joints stability and range of movement after 6 weeks and then again after three months to evaluate how successful your shoulder procedure has been. Patients should expect a continuous and full physical recovery to take around four to six months to achieve.

Are there any risks associated with Ulnar Nerve Entrapment surgery?

Although Ulnar Nerve Entrapment surgery is regularly performed without any complications, it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking this type of specialist upper limb surgery.

All surgery, no mater how expertly or carefully it is performed, carries risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation with an expert in complex elbow joint surgery to discuss your condition in relation to these risks cannot be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for Ulnar Nerve Entrapment surgery?

Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert in Ulnar Nerve Entrapment surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
 
Our Expert Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating complex Upper Limb surgery and because of their specialist elbow surgery expertise. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that all patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert upper limb orthopaedic surgeon: 

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com