ULNAR NERVE PALSY - DYSFUNCTION

Ulnar Nerve Palsy (Dysfunction)

WHAT IS ULNAR NERVE PALSY?

The ulnar nerve controls motion and sensation in some of the muscles of your arm and hand.
Ulnar nerve palsy is caused by damage to the ulnar nerve, which is usually the result of illness, injury, or too much pressure.
People with ulnar nerve palsy typically have tingling or complete loss of sensation in their fourth and fifth fingers.
Your ulnar nerve runs all the way from your shoulder to your little finger. The ulnar nerve manages the muscles that allow you to make fine movements with your fingers. It also controls some of the muscles of your forearm that allow you to grip things tightly. Unlike most of your other nerves, the ulnar nerve isn’t protected by muscle or bone throughout its course. In some areas, it’s near the surface of your skin. This means that injuries to the ulnar nerve aren’t uncommon.
The ulnar nerve is what creates the shock-like sensation when you hit the funny bone in your elbow.You may lose sensation and have muscle weakness in your hand if you damage your ulnar nerve. This is known as ulnar nerve palsy or ulnar neuropathy. This condition can affect your ability to make fine movements and perform many routine tasks. In severe cases, ulnar nerve palsy can cause muscle wasting, or atrophy, that makes the hand look like a claw. Acupuncture, Acupressure & Physiotherapy therapy to used and see very good results but Surgery is sometimes necessary to correct this.
SYMPTOMS
What are the symptoms of ulnar nerve palsy?
Ulnar nerve palsy is typically a progressive condition, meaning it gets worse over time.
The symptoms associated with ulnar nerve palsy include:
a loss of sensation in your hand, especially in your ring and little fingers
a loss of coordination in your fingers
a tingling or burning sensation in your hand pain
hand weakness that may get worse with physical activity a loss of grip strength
The lack of strength in your hand can affect your daily activities, such as gripping a glass and holding a pencil.
Over time, the lack of control and sensation can cause the muscles in your hand to tighten, leading to a claw-like deformity. This usually only occurs in severe cases of ulnar nerve palsy.
Ulnar nerve palsy can make it difficult to work with your hands, so it may be harder to complete tasks that were once easy. Activities that put strain on your hands and lower arms, such as golf or tennis, may make the pain worse.
What causes ulnar nerve palsy?
The cause of ulnar nerve palsy isn’t always known.However, damage to the ulnar nerve can occur due to:

an illness that damages your nerve

an injury to the nerve
excess pressure on the nerve
nerve pressure due to swelling
an elbow fracture or dislocation
Damage to the ulnar nerve is like cutting a telephone cord. The messages from your brain can’t be properly transmitted to their targets in your hand and arm, and they can’t be received from the hand.
DIAGNOSIS
How is ulnar nerve palsy diagnosed?
Your doctor will first examine you and ask you about your symptoms. Make sure to tell your doctor if your symptoms began after an injury to your hand. This can help your doctor determine potential causes of your condition more easily. They’ll want to know how the injury started, how long it’s been present, and what makes your symptoms worse or better.
During the exam, your doctor will evaluate how well you can move your fingers and assess the condition of your hand.
In addition to a physical examination, testing can include:
blood tests
imaging tests, such as a CT or MRI scan
nerve conduction tests
X-rays
These tests help detect swelling and measure nerve function in the ulnar nerve. They can also help to localize the area of the nerve that isn’t functioning properly. A nerve conduction study can help determine the severity of the dysfunction.
TREATMENT
How is ulnar nerve palsy treated?
Nerve tissues usually heal much more slowly than other types of tissues. However, some ulnar nerve palsy symptoms may get better without treatment.
There are a number of possible treatments for ulnar nerve palsy, including:
over-the-counter pain relievers,medications to reduce nerve spasms, such as gabapentin (Neurontin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), or phenytoin (Dilantin) corticosteroids to reduce inflammation,a splint to support the hand and reduce painful symptoms
physical therapy to increase muscle strength and function occupational therapy to minimize further injury.
How is ulnar nerve palsy prevented?
Getting medical treatment as soon as you notice symptoms of ulnar nerve palsy is vital to preventing more serious complications, such as a permanent hand deformity. The most common cause is pressure on the nerve at the elbow. If the condition is progressive, then moving the nerve from the back of the elbow to the front takes pressure off the nerve and allows it to function normally.
Like acupuncture, acupressure is an alternative medicine focusing on energy and healing points on your body. While acupuncture places small needles into these pressure points, acupressure is pressure applied by the fingers and hands of trained individuals onto the same points. Ulnar nerve damage can be reduced by acupressure, pushing on the nerve to reduce and relieve pressure. According to Dr. Subodh, regular acupressure is the best way to provide your large nerves with optimal blood flow. In addition, according to Mayo Clinic M.D. Tony Chon, both acupuncture and acupressure have had a long documented history with respect to healing injured patients. You may also want to meet with an occupational therapist to determine whether your daily work habits are placing excess pressure on your ulnar nerve.
To prevent further injury, you may need to wear a cast, splint, or brace for support.
Your doctor may also recommend surgery if the nerve damage is extensive, extremely painful, or not improving. Surgery is also often necessary if you find it difficult to go about your daily life due to the nerve palsy. If the cause is compressed nerve at the elbow, moving the nerve from the back of the elbow to the front of the elbow may be necessary.
If your doctor determines that the nerve isn’t going to restore its normal function, another surgical procedure involves tendon transfer. During a tendon transfer surgery, a functioning tendon is moved from its original bone attachment to a new one. This can help restore muscle function, allowing you to perform routine activities once again.
The results of surgery are generally good, but nerves heal slowly. A full restoration of wrist and hand function can take months. Even after surgery, you may still have a loss of sensation and movement in your hands.