UCLA Health
myUCLAhealth
School of Medicine
UCLA Neurosurgery
Toggle navigation
About Us
Chair's Welcome
Neurosurgery Faculty
Our History
Clinical Quality Program
Innovation and Technology
Giving
eNewsletters
In the News
Webcasts
Webinars
Resources and Links
Global Neuro Health
Golden Portal Awards
Visionary Ball
Lab Party
UCLA Neurosurgery App
Spotlights
Chair's Welcome
Neurosurgery Faculty
Our History
Clinical Quality Program
eNewsletters
Innovation and Technology
In the News
Webcasts
Webinars
Giving
Global Neuro Health
Lab Party
Spotlights
Conditions Treated
Alphabetical Conditions
Brain Conditions
Brain Tumor
Pediatric Conditions
Spine Conditions
Acoustic Neuroma
Adult Tethered Cord
Acromegaly
Acute Subdural Hematomas
Anaplastic Astrocytoma (AA)
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Aqueductal Stenosis
Arachnoid Cysts
Arnold Chiari Malformation
Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
Astrocytoma
Ballism
Basilar Invagination
Brachial Plexus Injury
Brain Aneurysm
Brain Attack (Stroke)
Brain AVM
Brain Conditions
Brain Metastases
Brainstem Glioma
Carotid Dissection
Carotid Stenosis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Causalgia
Cavernous Angioma
Cerebral Aneurysms
Cerebral Contusion and Intracerebral Hematoma
Chordomas
Chorea
Chronic Subdural Hematomas
Colloid Cyst
Coma
Concussion
Congenital Dermal Sinus
Cranial GunShot Wounds
Craniopharyngioma
Craniosynostosis
Cushing's Disease
Cyst Epidermoid Tumor
Dandy Walker Syndrome
Degenerative Disc Disease
Dermoid Tumor
Disc Herniation
Dural Arteriovenous Malformations
Dystonia
Ependymoma
Epidermoid Tumor (Cyst)
Epidural Hematomas
Epilepsy
Essential Tremor
Extratemporal Lobe Epilepsies
Facet Joint Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Frontal Lobe Epilepsy
Ganglioglioma
Glioblastoma
Germinoma
Glioma
Glomus Jugulare Tumor
Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
Hemangioblastomas
Hemi-Facial Spasm
Hydrocephalus
Hyperhidrosis
Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Intracranial Hypotension
JPA
Low-Grade Astrocytoma
Lymphocytic Hypophysitis
Lymphoma
Malignant Nerve Sheath Tumors
Medulloblastoma
Meningioma Brain Tumor
Meralgia Paresthetica
Metastatic Brain Tumors
Moyamoya Disease
Myelomeningocele
Myelopathy
Nelson's Syndrome
Neurocysticercosis
Neurofibromatosis Type 2 and Schwannomatosis
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Oligodendroglioma
Optic Nerve Glioma
Osteoarthritis of the Peripheral Joint
Osteoarthritis of the Spine
Osteomyelitis
Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures
Parkinsons Syndrome
Pediatric Conditions
Pediatric Hydrocephalus
Peripheral Nerve Injury
Phantom Limb Pain
Pineal Tumor
Pineoblastoma
Pineocytoma
Platybasia
Postherpetic Neuralgia
Post-Traumatic Seizures
Primary CNS Lymphoma
Pseudotumor Cerebri
Radiculopathy—Cervical & Lumbar (Pinched Nerve)
Recurrent Adenomas
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schwannomas
Scoliosis
Seizure
Skull Fracture
Slit Ventricle Syndrome
Spasticity
Spinal Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
Spinal Compression Fractures
Spine Conditions
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord Lipomas & Lipomyelomeningoceles
Spinal Cord Tumors
Stenosis
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Syringomyelia
Tethered Cord Syndrome
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thyrotroph (TSH) Secreting Adenomas
Torticollis
Traumatic Hematomas
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trochanteric Bursitis
Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
Clinical Programs
Brain Tumor Center
Cerebrovascular
Epilepsy and Functional Neurosurgery
Neurotrauma & Neuro Critical Care
Pediatric Neurosurgery
Peripheral Nerve
Pituitary and Skull Base Surgery
Spine Center
Brain Tumor Center
Cerebrovascular
Epilepsy and Functional Neurosurgery
Neurotrauma & Neuro Critical Care
Pediatric Neurosurgery
Peripheral Nerve
Pituitary and Skull Base Surgery
Spine Center
For Patients
Appointment Request
Telemedicine and Remote Second Opinion
Contact Us
Maps and Directions
myUCLAhealth
UCLA Neurosurgery app
Preparing for Neurosurgery
Peer Support Program
Going Home After Surgery
Billing Information
Suspect a Brain Injury?
Patient Stories
Patient and Family Advisory Council
Resources and Links
Appointment Request
Telemedicine and Remote Second Opinion
Contact Us
myUCLAhealth
UCLA Neurosurgery App
Preparing for Neurosurgery
Peer Support Program
Going Home After Surgery
Billing Information
Suspect a Brain Injury?
Patient Stories
Patient and Family Advisory Council
Resources and Links
Research Innovation
Research Scientists
Brain Injury Research Center (BIRC)
Brain Tumor SPORE
Clinical Trials
Research Grant Funding
Surgical Neurology International
Publications
Education
Residency Training
Fellowship Programs
Visiting Scholars
Calendar
Events
Conferences and Courses
100 Subjects in Neurosurgery
Submit Anonymous Feedback
For Healthcare Professionals
How to Refer a Patient
Clinical Updates
Find a Doctor
UCLA Health
myUCLAhealth
School of Medicine
UCLA Neurosurgery
Conditions Treated
Conditions Treated
Conditions Treated
Acoustic Neuroma
Adult Tethered Cord
Acromegaly
Acute Subdural Hematomas
Anaplastic Astrocytoma (AA)
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Aqueductal Stenosis
Arachnoid Cysts
Arnold Chiari Malformation
Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
Astrocytoma
Ballism
Basilar Invagination
Brachial Plexus Injury
Brain Aneurysm
Brain Attack (Stroke)
Brain AVM
Brain Conditions
Brain Metastases
Brainstem Glioma
Carotid Dissection
Carotid Stenosis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Causalgia
Cavernous Angioma
Cerebral Aneurysms
Cerebral Contusion and Intracerebral Hematoma
Chordomas
Chorea
Chronic Subdural Hematomas
Colloid Cyst
Coma
Concussion
Congenital Dermal Sinus
Cranial GunShot Wounds
Craniopharyngioma
Craniosynostosis
Cushing's Disease
Cyst Epidermoid Tumor
Dandy Walker Syndrome
Degenerative Disc Disease
Dermoid Tumor
Disc Herniation
Dural Arteriovenous Malformations
Dystonia
Ependymoma
Epidermoid Tumor (Cyst)
Epidural Hematomas
Epilepsy
Essential Tremor
Extratemporal Lobe Epilepsies
Facet Joint Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Frontal Lobe Epilepsy
Ganglioglioma
Glioblastoma
Germinoma
Glioma
Glomus Jugulare Tumor
Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
Hemangioblastomas
Hemi-Facial Spasm
Hydrocephalus
Hyperhidrosis
Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Intracranial Hypotension
JPA
Low-Grade Astrocytoma
Lymphocytic Hypophysitis
Lymphoma
Malignant Nerve Sheath Tumors
Medulloblastoma
Meningioma Brain Tumor
Meralgia Paresthetica
Metastatic Brain Tumors
Moyamoya Disease
Myelomeningocele
Myelopathy
Nelson's Syndrome
Neurocysticercosis
Neurofibromatosis Type 2 and Schwannomatosis
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Oligodendroglioma
Optic Nerve Glioma
Osteoarthritis of the Peripheral Joint
Osteoarthritis of the Spine
Osteomyelitis
Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures
Parkinsons Syndrome
Pediatric Conditions
Pediatric Hydrocephalus
Peripheral Nerve Injury
Phantom Limb Pain
Pineal Tumor
Pineoblastoma
Pineocytoma
Platybasia
Postherpetic Neuralgia
Post-Traumatic Seizures
Primary CNS Lymphoma
Pseudotumor Cerebri
Radiculopathy—Cervical & Lumbar (Pinched Nerve)
Recurrent Adenomas
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schwannomas
Scoliosis
Seizure
Skull Fracture
Slit Ventricle Syndrome
Spasticity
Spinal Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
Spinal Compression Fractures
Spine Conditions
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord Lipomas & Lipomyelomeningoceles
Spinal Cord Tumors
Stenosis
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Syringomyelia
Tethered Cord Syndrome
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thyrotroph (TSH) Secreting Adenomas
Torticollis
Traumatic Hematomas
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trochanteric Bursitis
Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
Conditions Treated
Acoustic Neuroma
Adult Tethered Cord
Acromegaly
Acute Subdural Hematomas
Anaplastic Astrocytoma (AA)
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Aqueductal Stenosis
Arachnoid Cysts
Arnold Chiari Malformation
Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
Astrocytoma
Ballism
Basilar Invagination
Brachial Plexus Injury
Brain Aneurysm
Brain Attack (Stroke)
Brain AVM
Brain Conditions
Brain Metastases
Brainstem Glioma
Carotid Dissection
Carotid Stenosis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Causalgia
Cavernous Angioma
Cerebral Aneurysms
Cerebral Contusion and Intracerebral Hematoma
Chordomas
Chorea
Chronic Subdural Hematomas
Colloid Cyst
Coma
Concussion
Congenital Dermal Sinus
Cranial GunShot Wounds
Craniopharyngioma
Craniosynostosis
Cushing's Disease
Cyst Epidermoid Tumor
Dandy Walker Syndrome
Degenerative Disc Disease
Dermoid Tumor
Disc Herniation
Dural Arteriovenous Malformations
Dystonia
Ependymoma
Epidermoid Tumor (Cyst)
Epidural Hematomas
Epilepsy
Essential Tremor
Extratemporal Lobe Epilepsies
Facet Joint Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Frontal Lobe Epilepsy
Ganglioglioma
Glioblastoma
Germinoma
Glioma
Glomus Jugulare Tumor
Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
Hemangioblastomas
Hemi-Facial Spasm
Hydrocephalus
Hyperhidrosis
Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Intracranial Hypotension
JPA
Low-Grade Astrocytoma
Lymphocytic Hypophysitis
Lymphoma
Malignant Nerve Sheath Tumors
Medulloblastoma
Meningioma Brain Tumor
Meralgia Paresthetica
Metastatic Brain Tumors
Moyamoya Disease
Myelomeningocele
Myelopathy
Nelson's Syndrome
Neurocysticercosis
Neurofibromatosis Type 2 and Schwannomatosis
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Oligodendroglioma
Optic Nerve Glioma
Osteoarthritis of the Peripheral Joint
Osteoarthritis of the Spine
Osteomyelitis
Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures
Parkinsons Syndrome
Pediatric Conditions
Pediatric Hydrocephalus
Peripheral Nerve Injury
Phantom Limb Pain
Pineal Tumor
Pineoblastoma
Pineocytoma
Platybasia
Postherpetic Neuralgia
Post-Traumatic Seizures
Primary CNS Lymphoma
Pseudotumor Cerebri
Radiculopathy—Cervical & Lumbar (Pinched Nerve)
Recurrent Adenomas
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schwannomas
Scoliosis
Seizure
Skull Fracture
Slit Ventricle Syndrome
Spasticity
Spinal Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
Spinal Compression Fractures
Spine Conditions
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord Lipomas & Lipomyelomeningoceles
Spinal Cord Tumors
Stenosis
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Syringomyelia
Tethered Cord Syndrome
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thyrotroph (TSH) Secreting Adenomas
Torticollis
Traumatic Hematomas
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trochanteric Bursitis
Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
Home
Conditions Treated
Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
Share this
About Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
General Information
Caused by compression of the ulnar nerve, usually at the elbow, the disorder is the second most common nerve entrapment after carpal tunnel syndrome.
The elbow is the most vulnerable point of the ulnar nerve because it is near the surface, fixed and crosses a joint.
The cause of most cases is unknown, although the condition may accompany a history of elbow fracture, dislocation, arthritis or repeated minor trauma.
Symptoms
This entrapment causes pain, numbness and/or tingling in the little finger and half of the ring finger, elbow pain and hand weakness.
Early symptoms may be purely weakness.
Often the symptoms are made worse by cold temperature.
The ulnar nerve is also occasionally tender at the elbow, or "the funny bone."
Treatment
Non-surgical treatment options include avoidance of elbow trauma, elbow pad, rest and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
Surgical options primarily consist of nerve decompression with or without transposition, or relocation, of the nerve.
Outcome
The advantages of simple decompression versus transposition include a shorter operation performed more easily under local anesthesia, avoidance of nerve kinking and muscular scarring around the transposed nerve, and preservation of small skin branches of the nerve.
Overall, a good to excellent result occurs in 60 percent of cases, fair result in 25 percent, and no improvement or worsening in 15 percent. Pain and sensory changes respond better than muscle weakness and atrophy.