Ulnar nerve entrapment happens when there’s pressure on the ulnar nerve. The ulnar nerve travels from the shoulder to the pinky finger. It can cause symptoms like muscle weakness and numbness.

The ulnar nerve is located near your skin’s surface, so it’s not well protected by muscle and bone. This makes it more vulnerable to compression.

Ulnar nerve entrapment sometimes goes by other names, depending on where the entrapment occurs:

  • cubital tunnel syndrome refers to entrapment at your elbow
  • ulnar tunnel syndrome refers to entrapment at your wrist

Cubital tunnel syndrome is one of the most common types of ulnar nerve entrapment. Ulnar tunnel syndrome is less common.

The ulnar nerve carries sensation to your ring and pinky finger, so symptoms tend to be felt in your hands.

The most common place for ulnar nerve entrapment is on the inside part of your elbow, under a bump of bone known as the medial epicondyle. It’s also known as your funny bone.

They may come and go throughout the day or become worse at night. Your symptoms depend on the location of the entrapment.

Symptoms of entrapment at the elbow

Ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow sometimes causes an aching pain on the inside of your elbow.

Symptoms in the hand include:

  • loss of feeling in your ring and pinky fingers
  • weakened grip
  • pins and needles sensation
  • trouble moving fingers
  • numbness, pain, and tingling

In advanced cases, it can also cause:

  • muscle atrophy, or wasting, in your hand or forearm
  • claw-like shape of the ring finger and pinky

Symptoms of entrapment at the wrist

Entrapment at the wrist usually only causes symptoms in your hand, including:

  • pain
  • weakness
  • numbness
  • tingling in your ring finger and pinkie
  • weakened grip
  • trouble moving your fingers

It can also cause muscle weakness or wasting in advanced cases.

Several things can place pressure on your ulnar nerve. Sometimes, there’s no clear cause.

Ulnar nerve entrapment is often caused by repetitive movements with your arm or hand, but other things can also cause it. The causes generally depend on the location of the entrapment.

Causes of entrapment at the elbow

Bending your elbow stretches your ulnar nerve. This can irritate the nerve as it stretches and slides back and forth behind the bump of your funny bone. If you keep your elbow bent for long periods or sleep with your elbow bent, the irritation can become painful.

For some perspective, bending your elbow puts about 20 times more pressure on the area than keeping it at rest.

Movements that contribute to ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow include:

  • driving with a bent elbow resting on an open window
  • holding a phone up for long periods
  • leaning on your elbows at your desk or typing for long periods
  • holding a tool in a constant position

Other potential causes include:

  • a cyst at your elbow
  • prior injury to your elbow
  • fluid buildup and swelling after an injury
  • arthritis in your elbow

Causes of entrapment at the wrist

The most frequent cause of entrapment at the wrist is a benign cyst on your wrist joint. As the cyst grows, it can put increasing pressure on the nerve.

Other possible causes include:

  • repetitive activity at work, such as using a jackhammer or a hammer
  • repetitive activity in sports, such as pressing your hand against bicycle handlebars or swinging a golf club

You can also develop ulnar nerve entrapment if you do certain repetitive tasks, such as:

  • using power tools
  • sleeping with your elbows bent
  • cycling long distances while bearing weight on the handlebars
  • baseball pitching

Several health conditions can also increase your risk of ulnar nerve entrapment in your elbow or wrist. These include:

  • past elbow injury
  • bone spurs or arthritis of the elbow
  • diabetes
  • bone and joint disease
  • ganglion cysts

If you have symptoms of ulnar nerve entrapment, nerve gliding exercises you do at home can offer relief. These work to help stretch the ulnar nerve. Just make sure to check in with your doctor first.

They might instead refer you to a physical therapist to develop an exercise and stretching routine that’s right for you. This can also help ensure you’re doing the exercises safely and effectively.

Talk with your doctor or physical therapist if you have pain when doing these exercises.

Exercises for ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow

A-OK ulnar nerve glide

  • Sit in a chair and reach the affected arm out to the side, holding your elbow straight and your arm level with your shoulder.
  • Turn your palm up to the ceiling.
  • Touch your thumb to your first finger to make the “OK” sign.
  • Bend your elbow and bring your hand toward your face, wrapping your fingers around your ear and jaw, placing your thumb and first finger over your eye like a mask.
  • Hold for 3 seconds, then return to the starting position and repeat 5 times.

Head tilt ulnar nerve glide

  • Sit in a chair and reach the affected arm out to the side with your elbow straight and arm level with your shoulder.
  • Turn your palm up toward the ceiling.
  • Slowly tilt your head away from your hand until you feel a stretch.
  • To increase the stretch, extend your fingers toward the floor.
  • Hold for 3 seconds, then return to the starting position and repeat 5 times.

Exercises for ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist

Wrist nerve entrapment exercise 1

  1. Stand straight with your arms at your side.
  2. Raise the affected arm and rest your palm on your forehead.
  3. Hold your hand there for a few seconds, and then bring your hand down slowly.
  4. Repeat the exercise a few times a day, gradually increasing the number of repetitions you do in each session.

Wrist nerve entrapment exercise 2

  1. Stand or sit tall with your arm held straight out to the front of you and your palm facing up.
  2. Curl your wrist and fingers toward your body.
  3. Bend your hand away from the body to gently stretch your wrist.
  4. Bend your elbow and raise your hand upward.
  5. Repeat the exercise a few times a day, gradually increasing the number of repetitions you do in each session.

In addition to nerve gliding exercises, several nonsurgical treatments can also relieve pain by reducing inflammation and pressure on the nerve.

If you have mild to moderate symptoms, nonsurgical treatment will likely be enough. But if you have more severe symptoms, you may need surgery if other treatments don’t work.

A doctor usually recommends treatment based on your symptoms and the underlying cause. But they’ll likely start by finding ways you can adjust your posture when using your affected arm.

These include:

  • not resting your elbows on hard surfaces
  • using your phone on speakerphone or with headphones
  • avoiding resting your elbow on the door while driving or riding in a car

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also provide temporary pain relief.

If you have entrapment at your elbow, you can also try wrapping a towel around your extended arm at night. This may stop you from sleeping with your elbow bent at more than 45 degrees.

For entrapment at the wrist, you can try using a wrist splint to keep your wrist in a neutral position while still allowing for the use of your fingers.

If gentle exercises and nonsurgical treatments do not help and your ulnar nerve entrapment is severe, your doctor might recommend surgery.

When recommending a surgical approach, they’ll take into account:

  • how long you’ve had the symptoms
  • the severity of your symptoms
  • what’s causing your symptoms
  • the results of nerve conduction studies or an ultrasound

Surgery for entrapment at the elbow

Several procedures can help with ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow.

Two of the main ones include:

  • Decompression: This procedure involves expanding the area through which the nerve passes.
  • Anterior transposition: In this procedure, your surgeon will relocate your ulnar nerve, either by removing your funny bone or repositioning it so that it’s closer to your skin.

Both procedures are usually done in an outpatient setting under general anesthesia. You’ll likely have a splint to immobilize the arm for the first few days. After that, you’ll begin physical therapy exercises to restore your range of motion.

Depending on their jobs, many people may be able to return to work in a few days to multiple weeks.

You should start to notice some improvement within about 6 weeks, though it may take 12 to 18 months to experience the full effects.

Surgery for entrapment at the wrist

Most ulnar nerve compression at the wrist is caused by a growth that must be removed. A hand surgeon often performs this procedure in an outpatient setting.

Once the growth is gone, you should notice an improvement in your symptoms. However, the healing process may take several months. You may also need to do physical therapy to help you regain full use of your wrist joint and hand.

Ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist is fairly rare, so there isn’t much data about success rates and recovery periods. Your doctor can give you a better idea of what to expect from the procedure.

Ulnar nerve entrapment can be painful and interfere with everyday activities. However, most people find some relief by resting the affected arm and doing gentle exercises.

If exercises don’t work, surgery can usually help. Work with your doctor to determine the most effective treatment plan.