Pinched ulnar nerve: treatment. Causes of neuropathy of the ulnar nerve. Methods for diagnosing a pinched nerve in the elbow joint

Neuritis of the ulnar nerve is an inflammatory process various etiologies, which affects the peripheral nerve fibers and is manifested by pain, numbness, loss of function of the innervated muscles; - treatment is complex and includes medication and physiotherapy.

Etiology

The ulnar nerve leaves the brachial plexus along with the radial nerve, descends down the medial side of the shoulder and passes through the posterior surface of the medial epicondyle to the forearm and hand. It carries nerve impulses to the deep muscles of the flexors of the hand and fingers, is responsible for the work of the muscles of the little finger and brings the index, ring and little fingers to the middle. The most common diseases that affect this nerve are neuritis and neuralgia.

Ulnar neuritis is considered a disease of people, which most spend time in the office. This is due to the fact that such workers are used to leaning on the elbow and can eventually injure the ulnar nerve, which does not run deep in this place.

Near the ulnar nerve passes the radial, which can also be affected with prolonged compression, for example, during sleep. Therefore, the clinical picture may simultaneously resemble neuralgia of the radial and ulnar nerves.

Other causes include any infectious agent, hypothermia, damage nervous tissue toxic substances, including chronic use alcoholic drinks. Special place occupies post-traumatic neuritis.

Also some somatic diseases can cause neuritis. For example, diabetes insufficient production of thyroid hormone.

Manifestations

In microbial 10, neuritis and neuropathy are not distinguished separately. Both of these conditions are included in the definition of ulnar nerve disease.

Neuritis of the ulnar nerve is manifested by numbness of the arm in the part that is innervated by this nerve. This symptom is short-lived and may be replaced by a tingling or burning sensation in the area. Numbness can be complete or partial and sometimes ends with convulsions.

There is also a marked decrease in activity.
in the injured arm, up to the onset of paralysis. It is difficult for the patient to bend the arm in the hand, he finds it difficult to bring the fingers to each other. These symptoms are explained not only by a decrease in innervation, but also by a violation of tissue trophism. In the future, after adequate treatment, I can be residual effects in the form of reduced reflexes or muscle weakness.

Also, malnutrition is manifested by swelling, blue skin, local hair loss and increased fragility of nails. This is due to tissue malnutrition and the treatment of diseases of the ulnar nerve should include measures aimed at eliminating these symptoms.

The pathognomonic symptom is the drooping of the hand, as well as the inability to bend the fingers into a fist. On examination, the hand looks like this: the fourth and third fingers are bent, the little finger is set aside.

If the patient's main symptom is pain and impaired movement, and there are no autonomic disorders, then we can talk about neuralgia of the ulnar nerve. Pain and numbness in most cases is present in the little finger and ring finger.

Diagnostics

In order to make a diagnosis of ulnar neuritis
nerve and treat it, in addition to an external examination and anamnesis, you can ask the patient to perform a few simple steps.

The patient should press the palm with spread fingers to the surface of the table and try to scratch it with the little finger. A person with inflammation of the ulnar nerve will not be able to do this;
Also, the patient cannot fulfill the request to spread his fingers in different directions;
With inflammation of the ulnar nerve, you cannot fully bend your fist and squeeze a sheet of paper with two fingers.

These simple tests help to accurately determine the damage to the nerve. Differential diagnosis must be carried out with a lesion of the radial nerve. If it is damaged, the patient's hand hangs down and cannot be straightened on its own. Also, with neuralgia of the radial nerve, the thumb is brought to the index finger and there is a disorder in the sensitivity of the first three fingers of the hand.

Also as additional method diagnostics, electromyography can be performed to determine the degree of muscle damage.

Therapy Methods

Treatment of neuritis of the ulnar nerve can begin with the restoration of the fixation of the hand with the help of a plaster splint, while the arm remains in a bent state and is suspended behind the neck in a scarf.

Also, treatment should be aimed at eliminating the cause that caused inflammation of the nerve. It is necessary to prescribe antiviral or antibacterial drugs with infectious diseases. In violation of blood circulation and tissue trophism, papaverine is used.

As in the treatment of any disease of the nervous tissue, B vitamins and potassium-sparing diuretics are prescribed to relieve swelling.

A special place in the treatment of neuritis and neuralgia is given to physiotherapeutic restorative procedures. They are aimed at improving the trophism of the nervous tissue and maintaining the tone of the muscles of the forearm and wrist.

From the second week drug treatment it is necessary to prescribe electrophoresis with medicinal substances, UHF and impulse currents.

The doctor must also teach the patient the technique of self-massage, which can be done independently at home. You need to start with rubbing the phalanges of the fingers, flexion and extension movements in the joints of the fingers and hand.

For preventive and restorative purposes, it is desirable to avoid hypothermia, repeated exposure to a traumatic agent. People who work in the office should try to lead less sedentary image life and introduce active breaks into your life (a short walk, office gymnastics).

If the ulnar nerve is affected, the mobility of the hand and its sensitivity are reduced or completely disappear. This pathology in medicine is called neuropathy.

Neuropathy, for the reasons that caused it, is divided into two categories:

Post-traumatic;
Compression.

Post-traumatic neuropathy is the result of sprain, partial tear or complete rupture of the nerve of the elbow joint. Such damage may be preceded by subluxation of the elbow joint, lateral dislocation or dislocation in front, accompanied by a fracture of the olecranon.

Compression neuropathy is a pinching of the ulnar nerve in narrow channels (in the cubital canal in elbow joint or in Guyon's canal in the joint of the hand).

This happens with a tumor, inflammation or changes in the structure of tissues in the channels. The causes are such diseases:

Rheumatoid arthritis.
Deforming arthrosis.
Chondromalacia and chondromatosis.
Tenosenovitis and synovial cysts.
malignant formations.
Pressure on the nerve of the abductor of the little finger.

Often, pinching of the ulnar nerve occurs in the process of repositioning the joint in case of dislocation or combination of bone fragments in case of fracture. If skeletal traction is performed, passive stretching of the nerve at the elbow joint may also occur. This pathology is called secondary neuritis.

If there is repeated damage to the elbow joint in the area where the nerve passes, late neuritis develops.

Ulnar nerve neuropathy - symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the injury. At complete break nerve in the elbow joint are noted:

Loss of sensation in the skin of the little finger and half ring finger;
Paralysis of the flexor muscles and adductor muscles of the thumb;
Paralysis of the interosseous muscles in the area of the transition of the palm to the fingers - there is a "syndrome of claw fingers".

With incomplete nerve damage, the symptoms are as follows:

Tingling sensation on the inside of the palm.
Weakening of the muscles of the hand.
Decreased muscle volume between the thumb and forefinger.
Loss of sensation in the little finger, partial numbness of the ring finger.
Pain along the nerve of the elbow joint.

The more damage nerve fibers the more pronounced the symptoms.

Methods for diagnosing a pinched nerve in the elbow joint

Froman's tests are performed to accurately diagnose when examining the victim. First, the patient should lower the thumbs of the hands on the surface of the table so that the table top is between them and the index fingers, and perform such a movement as if about to squeeze the cover.

Even with minor nerve damage, the patient will not be able to keep the thumb level on the tabletop, he will lower it to his side and bend.

Next, the patient is offered to grab a sheet of thick paper with the side surfaces of the fingers, while bending the fingers is impossible. The finger of the hand that is damaged will not be able to remain straight, it will bend at the interphalangeal joint.

Tinnel's symptom confirms the diagnosis - the symptoms increase if the doctor performs pressure movements along the cubital canal of the elbow joint. The degree of sensitivity is determined with the help of light touches or injections in different parts of the hand.

X-rays, MRI, ultrasound procedure. Ultrasound can also determine how badly the nerve is damaged.

A method such as electromyography allows you to determine whether there are violations of the impulse in the area located below the damaged nerve.

Ulnar nerve pinched treatment

Treatment of neuropathy of the elbow joint can be both surgical and conservative. The method is determined taking into account the cause of the pathology and the degree of nerve damage.

If there is no atrophy of muscle tissue, and there is no persistent deformity of the fingers, it is possible conservative treatment. If the nerve is damaged in the cubital canal, the following methods are used:

Compliance with a certain regimen: loads should be minimal, monotonous movements should be avoided, and the arm should not be in a bent position for a long time.
Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that effectively relieve pain and inflammation, B vitamins to improve blood circulation and metabolic processes in the damaged nerve.

With a pinched nerve in the Guyon canal, the treatment is not fundamentally different, but the introduction of glucocorticosteroids is added to the listed methods.

Surgical treatment is indicated if drug treatment has failed, if there are significant scars in the nerve passage in the canals, or if it is necessary to restore the functionality of the hand as soon as possible - for example, in professional athletes who cannot interrupt training in order to carry out conservative treatment.

Treatment surgically It consists in dissecting tissues and removing those parts of them that compress the nerve and cause inflammation. In some cases, in order to avoid re-damage of the nerve, it is transplanted to the inner surface of the elbow joint.

After the operation, a fixing splint is applied to the arm, after which it is carried out rehabilitation treatment with the use of analgesics, vitamins, thermal procedures and massage. Mandatory appointment physiotherapy after tire removal.

Typical Symptoms finger numbness right hand appear as paresthesia. First of all, this is the loss of exteroceptive (surface) sensitivity of one or several fingers at once. In addition, there are sensations of itching and "crawling", as well as burning and cold in the fingers.

With a long monotonous load or an uncomfortable position (when the hand is “numb”), this is due to temporary violation blood supply to the limb, as a result of which the conduction nerve impulses changes. If after a few minutes after changing the position of the body (or rubbing the fingers) the numbness disappears, then this is exactly the indicated case.

With constantly occurring numbness of the fingers of the right hand, paresthesias become a sign of either pathology of any departments nervous system, or neurodegenerative processes, or autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus). In this case, you need to seek medical help.

Symptoms of numbness of the fingers of the right hand, as well as the fingertips, as doctors note, in the majority of cases arise due to damage to nerve fibers in osteochondrosis or are the result of compression of the nerve trunks in pathologies of the peripheral nervous system.

Numbness of the little finger and ring finger of the right hand

Numbness of the fingers of the right hand is the most pronounced sign of tunnel neuropathies. nerve trunks from spinal cord to the fingertips they go through special channels, which in some places narrow between the vertebrae. It is in these places that the nerve is compressed, which leads to the development of the so-called tunnel syndromes or peripheral neuropathies, which account for 30% of diseases of the peripheral nervous system.

So, numbness of the little finger and numbness of the ring finger of the right hand can be the result of cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve compression syndrome). The ulnar nerve, which conducts nerve impulses to the little finger and half of the ring finger, passes through the cubital canal located behind inside elbow.

Most often, numbness of the little finger and numbness of the ring finger of the right hand with neuropathy of the ulnar nerve can be observed when the elbow joint is in a bent state for a long time. That is why so often similar symptoms those who work with the elbow resting on the surface (table, machine, etc.) complain. In addition, with overloads of the elbow joint in drivers and musicians, with injuries in athletes, as well as during work associated with vibration, thickening of the joint and ligaments occurs. As a result, cubital canal syndrome occurs and its symptom appears - numbness of the right little finger and numbness of the ring finger of the right hand, which may be accompanied by pain with pressure on the elbow and weakness in the hand. It is impossible to let the neuropathy of the ulnar nerve go by itself: it threatens with atrophy of the muscles of the hand.

Right thumb numbness

Carpal or carpal tunnel syndrome (from the Greek karpos - wrist) is caused by numbness of the thumb of the right hand, numbness of the index finger of the right hand, numbness of the middle finger of the right hand and half of the ring finger. AT this case the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel.

This happens from constant voltage with prolonged static and dynamic load on one muscle group and on the wrist joint (for example, when working at a computer, as well as for painters, seamstresses, violinists). This syndrome is also called stenosing ligamentosis of the transverse ligaments by narrow specialists: excessive loads on the hand, the tendons of the wrist joint swell and compress the nerve trunk. It is for this reason that the fingers become numb, and numbness of the fingers of the right hand often occurs at night, and in the morning a person may feel stiffness in the movements of the fingers.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can also appear with diseases such as arthrosis, arthritis, neurofibroma, hemangioma, etc. It is necessary to treat this syndrome, since the muscles of the thumb can atrophy, and the person will not be able to bend it.

Numbness of the index finger of the right hand

With dystrophic disorders in the cartilage of the vertebral joints - osteochondrosis - there is a decrease in their elasticity, strength and shape, which leads to pinching of nerve fibers. As a result, patients complain of pain in the neck, shoulder girdle and chest, frequent headaches, fatigue, drops blood pressure, dizziness and tinnitus, impaired coordination of movements, "flies" before the eyes. Besides, neurological manifestations osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine are numbness of the index finger of the right hand. In this case, very often numbness is felt in the thumb.

Numbness of the index finger of the right hand may be the result of pathologies of the elbow joint, primarily such as arthrosis (epicondylosis) and arthritis. With arthrosis, the elbow joint begins to collapse and becomes inflamed, which leads to pain that radiates to the hand, limited mobility of the arm at the elbow, numbness of the fingers and the inability to properly clench the hand into a fist.

And with arthritis of the right elbow joint, inflammation leads to a deterioration in the conduction of nerve impulses and numbness of the index finger of the right hand. Arthritis can occur as a result of infection, as well as after injuries or constant overloads of the elbow joint.

Numbness of the middle finger of the right hand

If, with a partial loss of sensitivity of the index finger, there is numbness of the middle finger of the right hand, then doctors see the cause of this pathology in functional disorders intervertebral discs, cervical discs or muscles cervical region. These disorders occur with a compression effect on the nerve endings, which manifests itself not only in the form of paresthesia, but also in the weakness of the fingers, as well as pain in the forearm and shoulder.

Numbness of the middle finger of the right hand occurs when the distal processes are affected nerve endings radial nerve. That is it peripheral neuropathy, which can develop after stretching or tearing of the nerve, for example, with subluxation of the elbow joint. But the most typical cases are associated with the carpal tunnel syndrome mentioned earlier.

Numbness of the fingers of the right hand most often occurs when there is a violation of the blood supply to the hands and problems with the spine. This symptom is also included in the clinical picture of many diseases that can lead to very serious consequences such as limb amputation or death.

Treatment for numbness of the fingers of the right hand is prescribed according to the results of the diagnosis. The totality of factors causing hypesthesia can be divided into six main groups:

Injuries; Pathology of the spine; Inflammation of the joints; Circulatory disorders; Damage to the nervous system; Diseases of endocrine origin.

Causes of numbness in the fingers of the right hand

The causes of numbness in the fingers of the right hand can partly be determined by which fingers are numb. For example, if hypesthesia occurs in the index or middle finger, then this may be due to injury or inflammation of the elbow joint, and numbness of the ring or little finger most likely indicates a malfunction of cardio-vascular system. In any case, if there is numbness, tingling or pain in the fingers, then you need to contact a neurologist and establish accurate diagnosis to avoid complications.

The causes of numbness in the fingers of the right hand can be injuries such as bruises, sprains or fractures. Excessive voltage muscles of the neck-collar region also leads to numbness, for example, when wrong position head and neck while working at a desk or due to an uncomfortable posture while sleeping.

The following diseases require systematic treatment:

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine; Hernia intervertebral disc; Rheumatoid arthritis; Circulatory disorders in the arm; Thrombosis of the upper limb; Ischemic stroke between vertebral artery; Blockage of cerebral vessels; carpal tunnel syndrome; Raynaud's disease.

Numbness of the fingers of the right hand with osteochondrosis

Numbness of the fingers of the right hand can be observed with osteochondrosis of the cervical region, protrusion and intervertebral hernia.

Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine are characterized by a decrease in the intervertebral discs and loss of elasticity of the fibrous ring. This leads to the so-called radicular syndrome. Most often, when the roots are pinched, the pain radiates from the neck along the shoulder blades and the radial surface of the forearm to the hand. The localization of pain and numbness of the fingertips, both of the right hand and the left, directly depends on which root is subject to compression:

C6 - in the thumb; C7 - in the index, middle and nameless; C8 - in the little finger.

Hypoesthesia is also possible in the absence of physiological changes cervical region, for example, with forced position body for a long time.

With osteochondrosis, fingers go numb most often on one hand. Treatment consists in eliminating inflammation and swelling, but sometimes it is also required surgical intervention.

Finger numbness in rheumatoid arthritis

Numbness of the fingertips, both right and left, may be accompanied by rheumatoid arthritis. This disease is characterized by the defeat of several joints of the hand at the same time, according to the type of polyarthritis. In this case, the wrist joints, as well as small interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints, are affected symmetrically.

The main symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in the affected area are:

Sustained violation of flexion-extension (contracture); fusiform and S-shaped deformation joints; Bone growths between the phalanges; Muscular atrophy; local boost temperature; Redness and swelling; Numbness of fingers of right hand at night; morning stiffness movements; It's a dull pain.

Deterioration of well-being in the form of weakness, weight loss and periodic increase temperature at rheumatoid arthritis accompanies the development of articular syndrome. With time pathological changes affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.

Numbness in the fingers due to impaired circulation

Numbness of the fingers of the right hand can occur as a result of various circulatory disorders, in particular with such diseases:

Thrombosis of the upper limb; Blockage of cerebral vessels; Ischemic stroke of the intervertebral artery.

If, after hypesthesia, increasing pain appears in the arm, then this may indicate a blockage large arteries thrombus. The cessation of normal blood supply without treatment is fraught with the development of necrosis and loss of a limb.

If there is numbness of the fingers of the right hand and foot, as well as weakness, nausea and headaches, then this may be a sign of a left-sided ischemic stroke. It develops within a few days, which allows you to recognize it in time and prevent paralysis. right side body.

Blockage of the vertebral artery with an abundance of collateral circulation may be asymptomatic, but in some cases causes massive heart attack in the medulla oblongata and cerebellum.

Numbness of the fingers of the right hand due to malfunctions of the nervous system

Some lesions of the nervous system may be characterized by numbness of the fingers of the right hand. Hypesthesia occurs with carpal tunnel syndrome and Raynaud's disease.

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the functioning of the hand and wrist. When the median nerve is pinched in carpal tunnel pain occurs in the places of innervation. Characterized by numbness of the fingers of the right hand at night and early morning. The pain can radiate down the arm to the shoulder and neck. Over time, the flexor muscles of the fingers weaken and atrophy, resulting in almost complete incapacity of the limb.

Raynaud's disease is based on a violation of the nervous regulation of vascular tone, resulting in small blood vessels shrink in response to external stimuli, for example, in the cold. The first attack of the disease can be provoked past infections, as well as overwork or hypothermia. Raynaud's disease can also be a complication of brain injury or severe psycho-emotional shock. The disease has three stages:

Angiospastic; Angioparalytic; Trophoparalytic.

At the first stage, at which the development of the disease often ends, under the influence of cold or stress, the skin becomes colder, turns white, and then turns blue due to a violation of trophism. After a few minutes, the blood supply is restored and the symptoms disappear. After an attack, paresthesia or numbness of the fingertips of the right hand appears. With symmetrical lesions, indicating a neurological origin of the disease, symptoms are observed on both hands.

Further development is characterized by an increase in the duration of attacks, increased pain and swelling. Subsequently deep violation tissue nutrition causes ulcers, necrosis and gangrene. Often, all three stages can affect adjacent fingers of one hand.

Whatever the etiology of numbness in the fingers of the right hand, treatment of the underlying cause must be started as soon as possible, since some diseases have very serious consequences.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Numbness of the fingertips of one or both hands is a fairly common problem faced not only by the elderly, but also by middle and young age. Full or partial absence sensitivity in the fingertips may be accompanied by a slight tingling and even pain.

If we do not take into account the loss of sensitivity, which may be associated with being in the same position during sleep, then this condition can be regarded as a persistent dysfunction of the body. In most cases, loss of sensation in the tops of the fingers can indicate a violation of blood circulation. To establish the true reason why the fingertips on the hand go numb, it may be necessary to consult several medical professionals such as a cardiologist, a neurologist, an internist, a rheumatologist, and an endocrinologist.

Ignoring given state can lead to aggravation of the pathological process and the development of complications.

The reasons

Scroll possible causes numbness of the fingertips, is wide enough. If the tips are numb index fingers, this may indicate dystrophic changes intervertebral discs in the cervical spine (osteochondrosis). If the tip of the thumb, as well as the middle and index fingers, goes numb, then this often indicates an inflammatory process in the elbow joint.

Numbness of the tops of the 4th and 5th fingers indicates pathologies of the cardiovascular system. It is impossible to draw a definite parallel between these cases, since reliable diagnosis can only be put by a doctor, and only on the basis of the diagnostic data obtained.

Loss of sensation in the fingertips during pregnancy is common in the 3rd trimester, and is caused by the presence of peripheral edema that compresses the nerve endings.

To the most probable reasons loss of sensation in the fingertips can be attributed to:

functional disorders on the part spinal column; nerve root injury different localization; degenerative changes intervertebral discs in the cervical and thoracic spine (osteochondrosis); consequences of ischemic stroke; diabetes mellitus type I and II; hernia of the chest and lumbar spine; compression of nerve endings in the area of the elbow and wrist joints; circulatory disorders of the upper limbs; Raynaud's disease; hypovitaminosis of B vitamins (B1, B6, B12); pathology on the part endocrine system; traumatic injuries upper limbs; excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.

Each of the above reasons must be confirmed using laboratory, clinical and instrumental diagnostic methods.

Diagnostics

The primary task of diagnosis is the exclusion and prevention of severe violations. cerebral circulation, which is achieved by conducting all the necessary types of research. In case of complaints of loss of sensitivity in the fingertips, the doctor may prescribe the following types of studies:

X-ray examination of the cervical spine, which will detect the localization and degree of infringement of the nerve endings and blood vessels. For maximum information, radiography should be carried out in several projections. Dopplerography of the neck area, which allows you to assess the degree of patency of the large arteries of the neck; Electroencephalography of the brain to assess electrical activity cerebral cortex. MRI of the brain and vertebrobasilar zone. This study is carried out in order to assess the state of the vessels of the same name. Echoencephalography or ultrasound examination of the brain. This technique allows you to determine pathological changes in the structures of the brain.

It is possible to proceed to a more detailed diagnosis of the cause of loss of sensitivity in the fingertips, only if there is no serious violations circulation, as well as pathologies of cerebral vessels.

Treatment

The selection of a treatment plan should be based on the cause that caused the loss of sensitivity in the tops of the fingers. Treatment methods for cervical osteochondrosis of the spine can cause significant harm to a person if he suffers from Raynaud's disease, the same can be said by reversing the diseases.

In some cases, a change of clothing is enough to restore sensitivity to a person, and some gymnastic exercises. If, as a result of the diagnosis, a circulatory disorder was detected or diabetes mellitus was diagnosed, then pharmacotherapy of the underlying disease will be required.

Medical therapy

If the fingertips on the left hand go numb, and this is caused by osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, then pharmacotherapy this disease will include the following groups of medicines:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The prescription of this group of drugs is carried out in initial stage, and in the acute stage, when there is a need for relief pain syndrome. Multivitamin preparations, and a complex of B vitamins (B1, B6, B12). The use of this group of drugs allows you to accelerate the regeneration of damaged nerve fibers; Biostimulants of anabolic action (Riboxin, potassium orotate). The purpose of using this group of drugs is to stimulate regenerative processes in the motor segment of the spinal cord. Psychotropic drugs. The use of this group is possible only in the absence of an anesthetic effect while taking NSAIDs; enzymatic preparations. The most effective enzyme is papain, the action of which is aimed at resorption of the affected intervertebral disc.

If the fingertips on the right hand go numb, and this arose due to a violation of the peripheral circulation, then the following groups of drugs can be prescribed by the doctor:

Angioprotectors. The action of this group of drugs is aimed at improving microcirculation in the body, normalizing the permeability of the capillary wall, as well as improving metabolic processes in vascular wall; Prostaglandins(E-1). Their action is based on the improvement of general blood flow, vasodilation, and a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance; Blockers calcium channels . Due to the use of this group of drugs, there is an improvement in microcirculation in the vessels of the brain, as well as recovery nerve cells; Antispasmodics. This group received wide application in the treatment of peripheral circulatory disorders; Ganglioblockers. The main effect of this group of drugs is achieved due to their ability to expand arterioles, veins and venules. The use of this group makes it possible to achieve the effect of blood redistribution into the blood vessels of the upper extremities; Alpha-adrenergic blockers. The purpose of this group of drugs is to improve the blood supply to peripheral organs and tissues.

Treatment of other diseases that can cause a violation of peripheral sensitivity should be carried out by the appropriate groups of drugs, and under the condition of constant medical supervision.

Traditional medicine methods

As effective supplement to the main treatment, you can use some tips traditional medicine, which, due to their simplicity and accessibility, will help remove the symptoms of numbness of the fingertips.

As a rubbing, you can use wild rosemary tincture, which you can prepare yourself: you need to take 2 tbsp. l. dry rosemary herb and pour 250 ml apple cider vinegar. The resulting mixture should be infused for 7 days. Ready tincture must be rubbed problem areas 4 times a day. good effect have hand baths. To do this, pour warm water into one container, and cold water into another container. Next, one should alternately lower the hands into each vessel with water, with an interval of 1.5 minutes. The procedure can be repeated up to 4 times a day. As compresses, you can use freshly prepared warm pumpkin puree. To do this, apply warm pumpkin puree to the hands, cover with polyethylene and woolen cloth on top.

Prevention

The following tips can be an excellent prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and the cardiovascular system, which can affect the level of peripheral sensitivity.

it is necessary to follow the regime rational nutrition avoiding alcohol and smoking; when choosing gloves, preference should be given to natural materials, rather than their synthetic counterparts; while at work, you should take regular breaks with an interval of 45-50 minutes. During a break, give Special attention gymnastics for the hands, which stimulates blood circulation.

Therapeutic exercises can act not only as a preventive measure, but also perfectly complement the main treatment. A more detailed discussion of methods of treatment and prevention is carried out during an in-person consultation with a doctor.

The ulnar nerve originates from the internal bundle of the brachial plexus and ends at the hand. Consists of motor and sensory nerves. pinched nerve in the elbow joint, it gradually atrophies, in other words, it decreases in volume and gradually loses its functions, which entails a decrease in the mobility of the hand and fingers itself.

Neuropathy of the ulnar nerve, as a rule, is a consequence of compression of the area of the elbow joint. Usually this phenomenon affects people who often lean on their hands. hard surface(for example, on a table, machine or workbench). Is it work related or just a bad habit.

What does it threaten?

With neuritis of the ulnar nerve, numbness and paresthesia of the fingers and the entire hand occur. A neglected disease can lead to muscle atrophy, which will not allow the fingers to unbend. Later, due to lack muscle strength in the fingers, the brush will look like a "bird's foot". Therefore, the treatment of pinched ulnar nerve should not be postponed.

Diagnosis of pinched ulnar nerve

If ulnar neuritis is suspected, the following tests can be performed:

The middle, ring and index fingers do not fully bend when trying to clench the hand into a fist
If you press your palm firmly against the table, then it will be impossible to bend the little finger
In the same position, it is impossible to spread and bring fingers together

Pinched nerve in hand, severe pain: treatment

With a diagnosis of pinched ulnar nerve, treatment is usually prescribed as a sanatorium or inpatient treatment. After all examinations, a course of treatment with B vitamins, antioxidants, dehydration, vascular therapy, anticholinesterase drugs.

Physiobalneotherapy, physiotherapy exercises, massage, as well as acupuncture, nerve and muscle stimulation will also be used as a treatment.

There are cases when surgical intervention is required, for example, if the conduction along the nerve is completely impaired. In other words, the integrity of the nerve is violated. Another indication for surgery is Guyon's syndrome - endoscopic decompression.

For get well soon after applying a fixing bandage, exercise therapy is done on the second day. However, before doing special gymnastics in the water, and also apply massage. Each phalanx of the finger must be worked out by a massage therapist or by the patient himself. You should start with the thumb. It is necessary to unbend and bend the fingers with the help of a healthy hand or a massage therapist.

Exercises for ulnar neuritis

The hand is placed on the table and rests on the elbow, the forearm is strictly perpendicular to the table. The thumb is lowered down, and the index finger is raised up, then the same should be done, only in reverse. Do 10 repetitions.
With the same starting position lowered down forefinger, and the middle one is raised up and vice versa. According to this principle, it is necessary to work out each finger 10 times.

These exercises must be performed 2 times a day, adding gymnastics to them in water, dipping your hands into a container of water.

Gymnastics in water with a pinched ulnar nerve is as follows:

Squeeze the middle phalanges of the fingers with a healthy hand, achieving their full straightening, do 10 repetitions.
Raise and lower alternately each of the fingers of a healthy hand, starting with the thumb and ending with the little finger. Do 10 times.
In turn, with the help of a healthy hand, take each finger back, starting with the thumb. Also 10 times.
commit circular motions each of the fingers in both directions. Repeat 10 times.
Lower and raise four fingers, except for the thumb, trying to straighten them in the main phalanges. Do 10 times.
Try to catch rubber objects in the water different sizes and then compress them.

After partial restoration of movements, the development fine motor skills continue with the help of modeling from clay or plasticine, by capturing small objects. Additionally, you can apply the methods of traditional medicine.

Pinched ulnar nerve: alternative treatment

Any neuritis responds well to treatment with dry heat, that is, a heating pad. As it, you can use heated salt, cereals, sand, a loaf of bread. Warming up will help severe pain. Rubbing is also very effective. For example, you can insist on 200 ml of vodka 20 small bay leaves, close tightly and put in a dark, cool place. You can use after three days. The effect will come after the first application. In addition, you can prepare a tincture on potato sprouts. A glass of sprouts is poured into 0.5 liters of vodka and infused for two weeks. Rub it in the morning, then put on a bandage and wear it until the evening.

Despite the effectiveness folk recipes, should not be completely replaced by traditional medicine. Do not self-medicate!

Represents numbness or decreased mobility of the fingers and hand. In the process of infringement, a person experiences pain penetrating the current in the area of \u200b\u200bthe hand, gradually this leads to atrophy of the muscles of the hand and impaired functionality.

The sensitivity of the brush is significantly reduced or disappears altogether. This ailment in medicine is referred to as neuropathy of the elbow joint. For reasons of origin, a pinched nerve in the elbow joint is divided into types:

post-traumatic;
compression.

The first type of neuropathy may appear as a result of complete or partial lesion elbow joint. This pathology appears due to a lateral or anterior dislocation of the joint, which touches the olecranon and breaks it. Also, the precursor of pinching can be stretching, tearing, subluxation, which will have the same outcome.

The second type is a consequence of pinching and inflammation in the narrow canals of the elbow joint, for example, cubital or Guyon. Such an outcome can be caused by swelling, changes in the connective tissue, inflammation in the canal.

Precursors of infringement are various diseases and pathological processes in the body. Among them are:

Change in the structure or shape of the bone, restructuring of the connective tissue on the walls of the site in the process of fracture healing.
Tissue neoplasms due to genetic changes.
rheumatoid arthritis, pain during movements.
Destruction or thinning of the articular cartilage tissue, deforming arthrosis, impaired joint capsule, the appearance of neoplasms in the joint cavity.
Withdrawal of the little finger due to muscle compression.
Inflammatory process in the synovial sheath of the tendon, which leads to swelling and thickening of the tendon sheaths.

It can be provoked by various manipulations performed for fractures, sprains. This may be due to the reduction of dislocation, skeletal traction or restoration of bone by particles and fragments.

Symptoms of the disease

Pinching is characterized by various signs, and they depend on the severity of the injury. If a large-scale tear has occurred in the elbow joint, the symptoms may be as follows:

the complete absence of voluntary movements of the muscles of the fingers, as well as the muscles responsible for flexion and extension of the fingers;
lack of sensitivity and numbness of the skin of the fingers. The little finger and ring finger, or half of it, are mostly affected;
paralysis of the muscles located between the bones, in the area of \u200b\u200bthe transition from the palm to the fingers. This paralysis is called claw toe syndrome.

The pinched nerve partial damage can cause the following symptoms:

weakness of the muscles of the hand in the area of the hand;
complete or partial loss of sensitivity of the little finger and ring finger, numbness may be observed;
tingling on skin palms of the affected hand;
pain in the elbow, forearm and hand, discomfort when moving;
weakening of the muscles and a decrease in their volume in the area of \u200b\u200bthe thumb and forefinger.

Diagnostic studies

At the first manifestation of symptoms, it is necessary to seek help from a doctor who will listen to complaints, study the medical history, learn about previous pathologies of diseases, analyze chronic diseases and only then send to additional research to confirm the diagnosis. Then, with the help of palpation, the doctor determines the sensitivity, and the area of pain concentration, the condition of the muscles of the affected hand is tested, and the elbow is also examined.

First of all, they are assigned biochemical analyzes blood and urine to detect inflammatory process inside the body.

Then instrumental diagnostic methods are carried out:

x-ray;
MRI and CT to identify bone abnormalities that could provoke pathology;
Ultrasound of the nerve trunks for the diagnosis of structural changes;
electromyography to study impulses in the damaged area.

After that, the specialist, as an additional method of confirming the diagnosis, can prescribe Froman testing, which is as follows:

The patient puts both thumbs on the table at a small distance from each other, trying to lift the table top with them. If the lesion is minor, the fingers will easily unbend in the interphalangeal joint, but the patient will not have smooth movements. thumb on the affected hand.
The following experiment is carried out using a piece of paper. The patient takes it on the sides so that the fingers are straight. It will be possible to notice the affected side by the bent ends in the joint between the phalanges.

Treatment

In the process of pinching the ulnar nerve, the treatment is complex. With such a diagnosis, it is better to choose a stationary or spa treatment, because the patient constantly needs observation and correction of treatment. First of all, after the examination, a vitamin course is prescribed with an emphasis on B vitamins. Antioxidants, anticholinesterase drugs, dehydration and vascular cleansing are also prescribed.

Important in the treatment are physiotherapy exercises, acupuncture, massotherapy, which will contribute to the stimulation and development of muscles, as well as reducing inflammation of the nerve, the symptoms of which are different.

There are cases when any therapy in the process of treating pathology will be meaningless. Then the only right decision is surgery. It is used in cases of complete violation of nerve conduction, when there is no intact tissue. Another indication for surgery is Guyon's syndrome.

Therapeutic exercise is done the very next day after the application of a special fixing bandage. In parallel with it, massage courses are used in order to work out and restore each phalanx of the finger. Then you can perform such a massage yourself, following the recommendations of a specialist.

Warm-up for neuropathy

To develop the ulnar nerve as quickly as possible, special exercises are used that are repeated at least twice a day.

The hand resting on the elbow is placed on the table. Then the thumb must be lowered down, and the index finger must be raised up, then change them. 10 repetitions at a time will be enough.
The following exercises are done according to the same principle only with the participation of the index and middle fingers. And so each finger 10 times.

This technique can be performed in water, which minimizes the risk of damage.

Gymnastics

Ulnar nerve pinching can also be treated with special gymnastics, which is aimed at developing fine motor skills of the hands, restoring lost skills. For this you need:

circular movements of the fingers, first in one direction, then in the other. For each finger, 10 repetitions;
lifting up and returning to the starting position of each finger - 10 repetitions;
squeezing the phalanx of the fingers with a healthy hand. This must be done until they are completely straightened;
alternately moving the fingers back, using a healthy hand;
fishing in water different size objects and squeezing them in the process of catching.

After gymnastics, you can continue to restore the functionality of the affected hand with the help of special hobbies that contribute to the development of motor skills: modeling from plasticine or clay.

To strengthen the result and to speed up recovery, people's advice is used.

To appease pain use dry heat, at home it can be a heating pad, heated salt, sand or any cereal. If immediate relief of pain symptoms is needed, conventional rubbing can be used. It is better in this case to use some alcohol tincture, which will speed up the effect and shorten the warm-up time. Effective are tinctures of bay leaves, potato sprouts, etc. It usually takes several weeks to prepare the tincture, but you can also purchase a ready-made mixture.

It is better to apply the procedure in the morning, then tightly wrap the elbow with a bandage made of natural material and do not remove it until the evening.

However, it must be remembered that any action during such a serious pathology must be agreed with the attending physician, there is no need to self-medicate and conduct experiments with your body. Any of us can pinch a nerve, so you need to be prepared for this, but it’s better to preventive measures to help avoid illness.