Ulnar Nerve Transposition in Wayne, NJ

Nerve pain is an uncomfortable and often debilitating condition that can affect many areas of your life. If you or a loved one are dealing with this discomfort, High Mountain Orthopedics can offer expert diagnosis and treatment. We serve the areas surrounding Wayne, New Jersey with high-quality orthopedic care. Among our services is ulnar nerve transposition, a procedure proven to offer long-lasting relief for pinched ulnar nerves and associated symptoms.

Understanding Ulnar Nerve Entrapment

Your ulnar nerve is an essential part of the nervous system. It begins in your fingers and travels through the arm, shoulder, and neck. The nerve performs the important job of carrying sensory information from the hands to be processed in the brain. Unfortunately, due to its position, the nerve can become compressed or pinched by a bony area called the medial epicondyle. This occurrence is described as ulnar nerve entrapment. A pinched ulnar nerve cannot relay information accurately and may send false signals, causing a range of symptoms that include:

• Numbness or tingling in the ring and pinkie fingers
• Feeling that the fingers have fallen asleep
• Excessive sensitivity to cold temperatures
• Weak grip in the affected hand
• Difficulty with precise finger control
• Pain, tenderness, or swelling in the elbow joint

The condition is progressive, meaning that symptoms often worsen as time passes. Severe ulnar nerve entrapment may cause muscle wasting and increasing loss of dexterity. Prompt medical attention is necessary to reverse the condition’s effects and prevent long-term complications.

Common Causes

Ulnar nerve entrapment does not always have an identified cause. In some cases, the ulnar nerve simply slips out of place without a known reason. Other cases, however, can be traced to another health condition, an injury, or a lifestyle factor. These causes and risks include:

• Leaning on the elbow at a desk or table
• Previous injuries to the inside of the elbow
• Repeated bending from an occupation or hobby
• Fluid buildup or swelling from another condition
• Bone spurs developing in the elbow joint
• Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the elbow

No matter the cause of your symptoms, it’s important to discuss them and your risk factors with a skilled orthopedic specialist and receive a full assessment.

Ulnar Nerve Transposition

At High Mountain Orthopedics, our team treats entrapment through a specialized procedure known as ulnar nerve transposition. The goal of this minimally invasive surgery is to move the nerve away from the medial epicondyle, releasing it from pressure and avoiding future recurrences. It proceeds based on the following steps:

1. A local anesthetic is applied to numb the affected area.
2. Our surgeon makes a small incision near the medial epicondyle.
3. Through this incision, the surgeon carefully locates the ulnar nerve and moves it to a new location directly under the skin or within a muscle.
4. After the incision is sealed, your arm will be placed in a cast or splint to hold it in a bent position.

Patients must wear the splint or cast for two to four weeks, allowing the incision to heal and the nerve to adjust to its new location. Full recovery follows within three to six months with the aid of physical therapy. Recovery time varies based on your unique situation, and our doctors will work with you, monitoring your condition and advising on your return to everyday activities.

Begin Your Recovery

If you have recently experienced symptoms of a compressed ulnar nerve, seek treatment today at High Mountain Orthopedics. We serve patients in and around Wayne, NJ with expert surgical care and compassionate treatment from start to finish. Contact us online for additional information or to schedule an appointment to learn if you’re a candidate for ulnar nerve transposition.