Ulnar Nerve Damage: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

The ulnar nerve is one of three major nerves in the arms. The ulnar nerve runs from under the collarbone all the way down to the fingers. Symptoms of ulnar nerve damage include numbness, tingling in the fingers and weakness in the hand or arm. Several things can cause ulnar nerve damage.

Compression

• The most likely cause of ulnar nerve damage is compression, where too much pressure causes temporary or permanent dysfunction of the nerve.

Locations

• If a compressed nerve is to blame, it is most likely at the elbow, but could be at the wrist or the collarbone.

Injury

• Injury to any point on the arm can cause ulnar nerve damage. When you bump your elbow, the tingling/pain sensation associated with it is an example of temporary ulnar nerve damage.

Other Causes

• Other causes of ulnar nerve damage include prior elbow fractures, cysts, bone spurs, repetitive actions and swollen joints. Even sleeping with your arm curled at the elbow can cause ulnar nerve damage.

Unknown

• Sometimes, the cause of ulnar nerve damage remains unknown. Regardless of the cause, the treatments for ulnar nerve damage include anti-inflammatory medications for pain, physical therapy and sometimes surgery.