Ulnar nerve entrapment is a condition due to irritation and compression of the ulnar nerve (nervus ulnaris) of the arm. The cause is mostly located at the cubital tunnel (sulcus ulnaris), where the nerve is most exposed to outer influences. The ulnar nerve is located in the arms so the symptoms often affect the fingers, hands, forearms and elbows. People with the problem are usually treated with medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), wearing splints, occupational therapy and in some cases surgery.
Ulnar nerve entrapment, or cubital tunnel syndrome, is a condition that involves stretching or pressure to the ulnar nerve. The common symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome include numbness or unresponsiveness and tingling in the little finger and ring finger. The nerve runs in a groove on the inner side of the elbow. Baseball pitchers are among the persons who are likely to develop the condition. This is because these players have to twist their hands in order to throw a slider. This motion can injury delicate ligaments that are within the elbow. The entrapment of the ulnar nerve is the second most common cause of nerve entrapment in the body. The most common is carpal tunnel syndrome with entrapment of the median nerve.
The main cause of ulnar nerve entrapment is the compression of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel (sulcus ulnaris). There are many conditions that can cause compression of the ulnar nerve. For example, keeping the elbow bent for a long period may compress the ulnar nerve and then lead to ulnar nerve entrapment. In addition, fractures, bone spurs, swelling of the elbow joint, cysts near the elbow joint and repetitive activities may also increase the risk of getting the condition. Since the ulnar nerve can affect movement and sensation, if it is injured an abnormal sensation and weakness in some muscles may occur. The common symptoms include: weakness or muscular atrophy in the hand (especially the abduction of the fourth finger is weakened), tingling or numbness in the palm and fourth or fifth finger, sensitivity to cold and tenderness in the elbow joint. A typical phenomenon is a tingling sensation in the fourth finger during percussion of the cubital tunnel.
The treatment of ulnar nerve entrapment includes medication, accessory appliances, occupational therapy and sometimes surgery. Generally speaking, medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be used to reduce the pain and inflammation. Also, wearing splints can help to immobilize the elbow to facilitate recovery. Occupational therapy may be recommended to strengthen and regain muscle power. In some cases, surgery may also be considered in order to relieve discomfort.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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