Neuritis of the ulnar nerve in frequency of nerve damage is one of the first places.
The reason for the development of this condition is compression in the joint area, which occurs in people working with the support of the elbows on a large workbench, work machine, table. It can also occur during prolonged sitting with an uncomfortable position of the upper limbs on the armrests of chairs. The localization of compression may be different. In some cases, it occurs in the groove of the elbow, which is located behind the medially located epicondyle. In other cases, it is localized at the exit point of the ulnar nerve, where it is compressed by an arch (of fibrous origin), which passes between the two heads of the wrist flexor. An isolated lesion is observed with a fracture of the internal condyles of the shoulder, with a supracondylar fracture. At the level of the wrists can also be noted the occurrence of compression of the ulnar nerve. Typhus, typhoid fever in rare cases leads to a similar disease.
Neuritis of the ulnar nerve is manifested by symptoms of numbness and parasthesia in the fourth, fifth finger, also along the ulnar edges of the hands to the level of the wrists. As the disease develops, physical strength in the abducting, adducting muscles of the fingers decreases. In this case, the brush takes the form of a "clawed paw."
If the disease does not accompany neuritis of the radial nerve, then with it the main phalanges take on a straightened appearance. While maintaining the physiological function of the median nerve, the middle fingers are bent during this pathology, the fifth finger is allotted. It can be noted anesthesia or hyposthesia in the ulnar region of the fourth, fifth fingers on the palmar side, as well as the fifth, fourth and first half of the third on the back of the hands.
Neuritis of the ulnar nerve requires a thorough diagnosis. With it, the muscles of the hand atrophy : vermiform, elevations of the fifth and first fingers, interosseous. The diagnosis is made using special tests:
- compression of the hand into a fist leads to incomplete bending of the fifth, fourth, partially third fingers;
- if the brush is tight enough to lean against the table, then the little finger will be motionless;
- bringing and raising all fingers will be difficult when fixing the brush to the table or other flat surface. This will especially affect the mobility of the little finger, the first finger;
- when carrying out a special test, the straightened first finger cannot hold a sheet of paper, the end phalanx of this finger cannot bend.
In the presence of such signs, you can confidently make this diagnosis.
Today, the most common disease that is associated with damage to the nervous system is ulnar neuritis. Treatment of this disease involves antiviral drugs, vitamins, anticholinesterase drugs, duplex, dibazole, homeopathic substances. Used physiobalneotherapy, exercise therapy, massage, acupuncture, muscle stimulation, nerve. The first procedure is designed to eliminate pain and parasthesia, restore muscle strength of the hand. Massage, acupuncture have a beneficial effect on the condition of the affected nerves and muscles. Procedures increase blood flow, which leads to an increase in regenerative processes in the nervous tissue. In the absence of positive dynamics within one to two months, surgical intervention is indicated, which can be represented by neurolysis, stitching of the nervous table.
Neuritis of the ulnar nerve is not a potentially life-threatening disease, but it leads to a significant limitation of the functional ability of the affected limb, which in more severe cases can lead to disability.