From the Research
An ulnar nerve injury at the elbow typically causes a characteristic pattern of neurological deficits affecting the hand and forearm, including sensory loss, motor weakness, and characteristic deformities, as described in a study published in 2020 1.
Key Deficits
- Sensory loss over the palmar and dorsal aspects of the little finger and the medial half of the ring finger
- Motor deficits include weakness of the intrinsic hand muscles, particularly the interossei and hypothenar muscles
- Characteristic "ulnar claw hand" deformity with hyperextension of the 4th and 5th metacarpophalangeal joints and flexion of the interphalangeal joints
- Difficulty with finger abduction and adduction, and a positive Froment's sign due to weakness of the adductor pollicis
- Weakness in flexion of the distal interphalangeal joints of the 4th and 5th fingers due to involvement of the flexor digitorum profundus to these digits
Diagnostic Considerations
- Electrodiagnostic studies, such as nerve conduction studies and electromyography, can be used to diagnose ulnar nerve injury, as discussed in a study published in 2018 2
- Neuromuscular ultrasound can also be used to diagnose ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, as recommended in a guideline published in 2022 3
- A study published in 2024 4 highlights the importance of considering the location and severity of the injury when diagnosing and treating ulnar nerve injuries
Treatment and Prognosis
- Treatment options for ulnar nerve injury at the elbow include conservative management, perineural steroid injections, and surgical release, as discussed in a study published in 2018 2
- A study published in 2014 5 highlights the importance of early recognition and treatment of delayed-onset ulnar neuritis after arthroscopic release of elbow contractures
- The prognosis for recovery from ulnar nerve injury at the elbow depends on the severity and location of the injury, as well as the effectiveness of treatment, as discussed in a study published in 2020 1