If these measures fail to improve the condition, or if the nerve compression is severe, surgery may be recommended.
There are several types of procedures available. The type of procedure performed varies between surgeons and patients, but the most important factor is releasing all the sites of pressure on the nerve. Two of the most commonly performed procedures are described below:. Ulnar nerve decompression surgery : The least invasive procedure is known as a cubital tunnel release. This procedure decreases pressure on the ulnar nerve by removing tight bands of tissue on the nerve.
There are several sites within the elbow where the nerve can be pinched, and each of these areas are evaluated and treated during surgery. During transposition surgery, the ulnar nerve is moved out of its groove behind the elbow to the front of the elbow. At the conclusion of the procedure, the nerve is positioned in a bed of tissue either under the skin, within muscles, or beneath muscles of the forearm. These surgeries are performed as an outpatient usually with nerve block anesthesia.
Patients may use their hands for light activities starting the day after surgery. Most people can return to light duty work after a few days. In most patients, a soft bandage is used to cover the incision and gentle elbow range of motion is allowed. Avoiding forceful lifting, pulling, pushing or gripping for approximately 4 weeks after surgery is usually recommended. Most patients report decreased numbness, tingling, and nerve pain in the hand after surgery. Recovery of the ulnar nerve after surgery is usually slow, and nerve recovery can take several months.
Some patients do not regain full strength or normal sensation in the hand, especially in severe or long-standing cases. The Ulnar Nerve could be experiencing some internal forces that are putting pressure on it; and then when we keep our arm bent for a long period of time, this applies an outside pressure on the Ulnar nerve. This often causes the pinky finger and ring finger to go numb. Fractures can cause swelling around nerve. If the symptoms are because of a fracture, numbness, and tingling will resolve as the fracture heals.
But be sure to tell your physician of all symptoms you are experiencing. This could be related to an old injury to your arm or elbow. A visit to your physician and an x-ray can reveal something called loose bodies.
Using a headset for work decrease the pressure on the Ulnar Nerve. Does your work cause you to lean on your elbows? For example, do you drive for a living? If you are a truck driver that ratchets downloads on a flatbed, you may have caused more pressure to your elbows and increased the numbness in your pinky finger and ring finger. Do you hold a phone to your ear a lot at work or at home? The bending of the elbow to hold the phone to your ear causes extra stress on the nerve and can cause your pinky finger to go numb.
With all the work at home during the Covid Pandemic, your workspace may not be ideal. You may need to evaluate the ergonomics of your workspace to decrease the bending of your elbow while working on the phone and computer. A headset at work will decrease the bending of your elbow and decrease the pressure on the Ulnar Nerve and hopefully decrease the numbness in your pinky and ring finger.
If numbness in the pinky finger is due to overuse , reducing or stopping the contributing activity is advisable. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help with pain management. Resting and stretching the hands and wrists may also help. Obesity can contribute to compression neuropathy. Maintaining a moderate weight may help reduce symptoms. Complementary therapies may be helpful in treating MPS. These include acupuncture and massage. If making simple modifications does not decrease numbness in the pinky finger, a doctor may advise medical intervention.
This may take the form of injections or surgery. If a doctor diagnoses a ganglion cyst, they may drain the fluid from the cyst to reduce pressure. Although this can cause relief from symptoms, the cyst may form again. In that case, the doctor may use keyhole surgery to remove it. A small study found cyst reoccurrence in around a quarter of participants. Steroid injections may help treat compression neuropathy. Occasionally, numbness can be a symptom of a medical emergency. If any of the following symptoms accompany the numbness, a person needs immediate medical help:.
They can help determine the cause and suggest some potential treatment options. There may be several reasons for numbness in the pinky finger. These include nerve damage or compression, the use of certain drugs, nutritional deficiencies, and other illnesses. The numbness may fade over time, and people may experience improvement by making simple changes. If the numbness does not disappear or the person experiences other symptoms, however, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
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