About Ulnar Nerve Entrapment & Its Causes:
The Ulnar Nerve originates at the brachial plexus and traverses down from the neck to the medial side of the elbow, to t he forearm, and then to the wrist where it terminates. Throughout its course right from the neck to the wrist, the ulnar nerve is most vulnerable to entrapment at the medial elbow where it passes through a small tunnel known as the cubital tunnel. Some of the common causes which may lead to Ulnar Nerve Entrapment are habit of leaning on the elbow while sitting which creates a lot of pressure on the cubital tunnel this compressing the ulnar nerve. Sleeping with arms bent also causes significant compression or entrapment of the ulnar nerve.
Repetitive stress injuries to the elbow like playing tennis or badminton which involves a lot of wrist and elbow movement also is a common cause for Ulnar nerve Entrapment.
A direct trauma to the medial elbow where the cubital tunnel is like being hit by a ball or a hard object may also cause Ulnar Nerve Entrapment. While there are many modes of treatment for Ulnar Nerve Entrapment, exercises play a vital role in relief of symptoms caused due to Ulnar Nerve Entrapment and are an important aspect of the treatment regimen. Below mentioned are some of the exercises that can lead to significant relief from symptoms of Ulnar Nerve Entrapment.
3 Exercises For Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
Before embarking on an exercise regimen, it is recommended to consult your physician. Under any circumstances, do not continue exercising if any of the exercises cause any pain or discomfort and get checked up with a doctor.
When it comes to Ulnar Nerve Entrapment, physical therapist never recommend any range of motion exercises and hence it is recommended not to try such exercises on your own volition as it may increase the symptomatology. While exercising try and avoid holding the elbow in a flexed or bent position as it may increase the symptoms. Under any circumstances, do not put any undue pressure on the elbow while doing exercises.
The exercises mentioned below may result in some increased numbness and tingling in the hand at the start but this temporary and will go away as you continue the exercise regimen diligently, although if the sensation continues then it is recommended to stop the exercises and checked up with a physician for a cause of the symptoms.
Some of the exercises done for Ulnar Nerve Entrapment are:
Elbow Flexion and Wrist Extension Exercise for Ulnar Nerve Entrapment: This exercise targets the ulnar nerve and to do this exercise you need to sit straight and extend the affected arm to the side such as a stretch is felt at the level of the shoulder with the hand facing the floor. Now, bend the arm and bring your hand towards the shoulders as shown in the picture. Repeat this gently for about 6 times in a day.
Head Tilt Exercise Ulnar Nerve Entrapment: This exercise also targets the ulnar nerve. To do this exercise, sit straight and extend the affected arm to the side at the level of the shoulder. Now turn your head at the opposite direction from the extended shoulder such that a stretch is felt. This stretch can be increased by extending the fingers down towards the floor as shown in the picture. Come back to starting position and repeat it about 6 times daily.
Arm Flexion in Front of Body Exercise: To do this exercise, you need to sit straight and extend the arm to the front at the level of the shoulder with the elbow straight. Now extend the hand away from the body pointing the fingers downwards. Now bend the elbow and bring the wrist towards the face as shown in the picture. Do this about 10 times.
These exercises mentioned above go a long way in reliving symptoms of pain due to Ulnar Nerve Entrapment. These exercises need to be done at least three to five times in a week as comfort allows. Doing these exercises will definitely help along with other treatments recommended by the physician in reducing symptoms of Ulnar Nerve Entrapment.
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