The ulnar nerve and its diseases: neuropathy, neuritis, tunnel syndrome and others

All the braided weaving of the ulnar nerve taken away the most honorable place, since he, starting in the forearm, reaches the hand. He is responsible for the mobility and sensitivity of the entire brachial plexus.

But with neuralgic diseases, the functions of the ulnar nerve are violated. Various lesions of the ulnar nerve( neuropathy, neuritis, tunnel and cubital syndromes) are quite common and they can be associated with a number of different factors.

Anatomical and physiological reference

Understand what exactlycaused disruption of the functions of the ulnar nerve is impossible without the most elementary knowledge of the anatomy of the human body, since, only in this way can the sexit a complete picture of the progress of nerve fibers in the elbow.

The ulnar nerve is a long nerve located in the brachial plexus. It consists of biological fibers СVII-CVIII( 7th and 8th cervical), which come directly from the spinal cord.

On the arm itself, the nerve gets straight from the axillary fossa and moves to the intermuscular septum of the medial region in the middle of the shoulder and lies in the osteo-fibrous canal that forms inside the shoulder, tendon and wrist. This channel in the medical literature is called the capital channel or the Mushe channel.

It is in this place that the ulnar nerve is practically on the surface itself and as close to the bones as possible, and it is here where the nerve fibers are most often squeezed.

As a rule, everyone who injured his elbow at least once in his life, be it a fracture or a simple blow to the door handle, felt quite unpleasant sensations that cause a momentary exacerbation of the pain syndrome( the nerve can also be pulsed at any time in this place andfeel it to the touch).

After the fiber gradually leaves the channel, it is between the forearm muscles, but still some of its endings are in the muscle region. Passing to the border of the forearm, it is divided into several parts( external and back), as well as a small palm branch, which passes from the forearm into the palmar ligament and wrist. This division of the human body is responsible for the perception of the external world, - the limb is bending and unbending.

Anatomical knowledge contributes to the fastest diagnosis of pathology.

The ulnar nerve, its anatomy, functions and diseases in the program of Elena Malysheva:

Neuropathy - the most common ulnar nerve disease

Neuropathy of the ulnar nerve is a process of numbness and a decrease in the sensitivity of the fingers and the brush as a whole. The started stage of this disease leads to muscle atrophy, which can lead to complete numbness of the phalanx tips.

There are two types of ulnar neuropathy:

1. Primary - the development of the inflammatory reaction does not depend on another pathological process occurring in the body. Most often this condition is observed in people who for a long time rest their elbows on the working surface of the machine or table, armrest armrest, etc.
2. Secondary( or symptomatic) is a complication of an already existing disease in a person. The most common cause of degenerative-dystrophic changes is compression( entrapment) of the ulnar nerve, which is characteristic of some diseases:

• osteoma - a benign neoplasm of bone tissue;
• synovitis - inflammation of the synovium;
• fractures and dislocations of the shoulder or forearm ;
• hand injury ;
• tenosynovitis - inflammation of the inner joint membrane;
• deforming osteoarthritis - a chronic disease of the cartilaginous and articular tissues;
• bursitis of the elbow joint - inflammation of the joint bag;
• of post-traumatic arthrosis .

In some cases, neuropathy develops as a result of a severe acute infectious disease( typhus or typhoid, tuberculosis, syphilis).

General clinical picture of

In general, the defeat of the ulnar nerve in neuropathy is characterized by a violation of its basic functions, which leads to a decrease in mobility, pain, a decrease in the sensitivity of a particular muscle group and general malaise. The cause of this condition can be damage, which was applied to the fiber by squeezing a separate part of the elbow( this leads to infringement and damage to the nerve).

In addition, such damage can act as a separate and contiguous disease.

Numbers of numbness in neuropathy of the ulnar nerve

Symptoms of neuropathy of the ulnar nerve are expressed in the following:

• decrease in the sensitivity of the limb, which leads to the absence of pain;
• numbness of the limb, which deprives her mobility.

Diagnosis of

In order to establish a lesion of the ulnar nerve, a standard neurologic examination is performed, during which the causes and nature of the disease are clarified. The most informative method of damage to the diagnosis is electroneuromyography. It allows you to accurately determine the location and extent of damage to nerve fibers, as well as to determine the level of damage to the nerve roots that form the elbow joint.

With the modern treatment of the patient, the diagnosis of ulnar nerve damage is a quick and accurate procedure.

Treatment of neuropathy consists of such procedures:

• is primarily placed in a hospital, since the neuropathy of the ulnar nerve is a serious disease and the patient's condition can only worsen without constant supervision of the doctor;
• pain medication is prescribed to reduce pain;
• an effective method of treatment of the disease are detoxification therapy, vitamins to support the body, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce the inflammatory process.

Symptoms and treatment of neuralgia

The origin of ulnar neuralgia can be different - somatic and infectious pathologies, trauma, prolonged compression.

The inflammatory process affects the fibers of the peripheral nerves and manifests itself:

• with pain syndrome;
• numbness of the upper limb( impaired passage of the nerve impulse to the brain);
• is a violation of the functional activity of the muscles of the hand.

Treatment of neuralgia of the elbow joint is complex and consists of the use of medical and physiotherapy methods:

• with the help of gypsum langets fixing the arm in a semi-bent position and suspended in a special band - thus the cause causing neuralgia is most often eliminated;
• with an inflammatory reaction is prescribed antibacterial agents, with acute infectious disease - antiviral;
• for diarrhea, it is necessary to take diuretic potassium-saving drugs;
• an effective agent for improving cellular metabolism are considered to be B vitamins;
• for improving trophism and circulation in tissues is strongly recommended Papaverin;
• to maintain the physiological tension of the nerve and muscle tissues is assigned electrophoresis, amplitude pulse and UHF;
• massage sessions the patient can carry out independently, starting with rubbing the fingertips, flexing and unbending the joints of phalanges and brushes.

Inflammation process in the elbow area

Neuritis of the ulnar nerve is an inflammation accompanied by constant pain in the elbow joint, numbness of the limb and weakness of the entire muscle.

Symptoms of neuritis of the ulnar nerve:

• burning sensation in the elbow region;
• swelling of the limb is pink-violet;
• weakness;
• change in body temperature;
• hanging limb when it is overexerted.

Treatment is the following set of procedures:

1. First of all, the brush is fixed to prevent it from dangling. This is done with the help of a compression bandage and, as a rule, while the arm is completely immobilized.
2. The next step in the treatment is daily exercise therapy, taking anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications.

After a while, when the mobility of the hand improves, the exercises become more complicated, gradually increasing the load.

Elignment of the ulnar nerve

Elignment of the ulnar nerve( syndrome of the cubital canal or compression of the ulnar nerve, ulnar syndrome) can lead to to reduce sensitivity and to complete loss of arm mobility.

Pinches are expressed by the following symptoms:

• numbness and decreased mobility of the limb;
• change in muscle mass in the hand;
• pain syndrome.

Treatment of the syndrome of the cubital canal:

• adherence to a constant regime( medical gymnastics, reducing physical exertion and so on);
• physiotherapy;
• reception of anesthetics.

Tunnel Syndrome

Tunnel syndrome of the ulnar nerve is a specific abnormality that manifests itself in neuralgic diseases. There is a pinched nerve in the area of ​​the shoulder and forearm.

Symptoms:

• pain syndrome;
• reduced sensitivity.

Treatment of ulnar tunnel syndrome of the wrist implies:

• restriction of motor activity;
• physiotherapy;
• intake of vitamins and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The defeat of the ulnar nerve in the absence of proper treatment, can lead to a decrease in sensitivity, and subsequently cause a complete numbness of the hand.

Prevention of diseases:

• therapeutic exercises and other exercises aimed at developing the ulnar nerve;
• intake of vitamins, which contribute to the strengthening of nerve endings.