Don’t Let Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome Stop Your Swing

Pain or limited hand function due to ulnar tunnel syndrome can keep you from enjoying the activities you love, like playing golf, biking, and lifting weights. This is due to the ulnar nerve being one of the main nerves in your hand that provides feeling as well as helps with function.

Ulnar tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve in the wrist becomes compressed. This creates pressure on the nerve, which can cause tingling and numbness in your little finger and along the outside of your ring finger. Additionally, this pressure can make it hard to grip things and can cause pain.

There are a few main causes of ulnar tunnel syndrome. In some cases, this syndrome develops from repetitive trauma, chronic pressure on your hand, or a sports-related wrist injury, such as a broken hamate bone from swinging a golf club into the ground. It can also be caused by a benign cyst in the wrist joint.

“The type of treatment used to treat ulnar tunnel syndrome depends on what is causing the pressure on the nerve,” said fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity surgeon Chad A. Amato, M.D.

If the pressure is mainly caused by the way the wrist is positioned, one of these nonsurgical treatment options may be recommended:

• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Bracing or splinting
• Physical therapy

However, if the condition is caused by a growth in the wrist or a broken bone, a specialty-trained sports medicine or hand surgeon may recommend surgery.

We’re here to help you overcome wrist pain, and our experts, Dr. Rajesh Makim, Dr. Scott Heithoff, Dr. Todd Murphy, Dr. Emily Tan, and Dr. Chad Amato, will work closely with you. For more information on ulnar tunnel syndrome or if you are experiencing hand pain or another wrist injury, schedule an appointment online with one of our specialists at Orthopedic Associates of Port Huron or call (810) 985-4900.