Neuritis of the ulnar nerve - a fairly common phenomenon, ranking second in the frequency of the disease among other types of neuritis. The ulnar nerve is one of the main nerves of the brachial plexus, which performs two functions: motor and sensory.
When it is damaged, both functions are violated to some extent. The most vulnerable ulnar nerve is in the elbow joint area, and even simple squeezing (with prolonged support of elbows on the table, arms of armchairs, etc.) can lead to its damage and inflammation. The cause of ulnar neuritis can also be injuries, injuries, infectious diseases. How to identify and treat neuritis of the ulnar nerve, we will consider further.
Symptoms of neuritis of the ulnar nerve
The defeat of the ulnar nerve can be diagnosed by the following signs:
- when the arm is extended forward, the hand hangs, resembling a "clawed paw";
- the sensation of numbness and tingling between the ring finger and the little finger, which spreads along the ulnar edge of the hand to the wrist;
- weakness of the muscles of the hand (it is impossible to take and hold the object);
- when the fingers are compressed into the fist, the third, fourth and fifth fingers do not bend completely;
- when the brush is close to the table, the little finger is removed from the surface, and it is also impossible to dilute and bring the fingers in this position;
- cyanosis, sweating, local skin temperature decrease in the area of the affected nerve.
In advanced stages of the disease, the brush on the damaged arm begins to lose weight, deform, and the muscles atrophy.
Treatment of neuritis of the ulnar nerve
If you find the first signs of neuritis of the ulnar nerve, you should immediately contact a neurologist, because in this case only the timely treatment will be the key to success.
First of all, with the defeat of the ulnar nerve on the wrist and forearm impose a special long. The brush is fixed in the position of extreme straightening in the wrist joint (the fingers are half-bent at the same time), and the forearm and the hand are suspended on a scarf.
As a rule, on the second day after the application of the fixative bandage, they begin to practice physical exercises to restore the lost functions of the hand. LFK with ulnar nerve ulnar includes the following exercises:
- Bent at the elbow, place the arm on the table so that the forearm is perpendicular to the table. Alternately lower the thumb down, and the index lift up, and vice versa.
- The hand is in the same position. The index finger is lowered down, and the middle finger is lifted upwards, and then vice versa.
- Grab a healthy hand the main phalanx of four fingers - from the index finger to the little finger. Bend and unbend the main, and then middle phalanx.
Each exercise is done 10 times.
You can also do gymnastics in the water, immersing your hand in a basin with warm water.
Along with this, a massage is performed, aimed at relieving pain and accelerating nerve conduction and sensitivity. Massage
To eliminate pain and restore muscles, physiotherapy methods (electrophoresis, ultrasound, etc.) are used. Also, a set of therapeutic measures includes the intake of vitamins B, C and E. Good results are achieved with acupuncture .
In cases where the improvement of the condition does not occur for a long time (1 to 2 months), surgical intervention is performed. This can be a suture of the nerve trunk, neuroleptic ulnar nerve or other operational methods.