Ulnar Groove Syndrome - Cubital Nerve Compression
The muscles in the hand work through the ulnar, median and radial nerves. The ulnar nerve starts from the armpit and passes through the tunnel on the inner side of the elbow, coming towards the forearm. Nerve compression at the elbow, or also known as cubital nerve compression, occurs when the ulnar nerve is compressed in the tunnel.
Symptoms
The most typical symptom of the disease is numbness, loss of sensation and pain felt in half of the little finger and ring finger. If the disease progresses, difficulty in bringing the fingers closer together and the 4th and 5th fingers curling back when the hand is held straight may be observed.
Causes
Connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, masses in the tunnel and old fractures in the elbow. Although it is blamed for the development of this disease, no cause can be identified in most patients. Bending the elbow compresses the nerve here. Staying in this position for a long time may cause nerve compression in the elbow. The risk is higher for those who sleep with their hands under their heads and those who work with their elbows. We can list the risk factors that may cause cubital tunnel syndrome as follows:
Old elbow fractures and dislocations
Bone protrusions and calcification in the elbow
Cysts in the elbow
Swelling in the elbow joints
Professions that require bending the elbow for a long time
Treatment
Nerve compression disease in the elbow can be detected by examination by a neurosurgeon. EMG test is used for definitive diagnosis. Treatment is planned according to the degree of the detected disease. Correct positions for holding the elbow are shown to early stage patients, splints that help keep the elbow straight may be recommended, and medication may be administered. Patients in advanced stages may require surgery. Surgery for nerve compression in the elbow is usually performed by anesthetizing the elbow area. During the operation, the ulnar nerve is removed between the two protruding bones in the elbow and moved to the front of the elbow. The patient is usually discharged on the same day.
Nerve Compression in the Knee
Although it is not as common as the other nerve entrapments mentioned, it is important due to its consequences. It is an inconvenience. nerve in knee Compression disease occurs when the branch of the sciatic nerve going to the front of the leg on the outside of the knee is compressed. It is not common like other nerve entrapments, but it is an important disease.
Symptoms
Pain in the knee, around the knee, in the calf
The most important and dangerous symptom is foot paralysis, called drop foot.
It is more common in those who have the habit of sitting with their knees bent.
Treatment
The disease can be detected by examination by a neurosurgeon. Definitive diagnosis is made with EMG. If there is foot drop, the situation is urgent. The earlier the surgery for nerve entrapment in the knee is performed, the better the response.
Read: 0
