Ulnar nerve entrapment: symptoms and treatments

When you feel numbness or tingling in your ring and pinky fingers, you may think it’s carpal tunnel syndrome. But another condition, ulnar nerve entrapment, can also lead to these sensations. 

“With ulnar nerve entrapment, the ulnar nerve — which travels from your neck down to your hand — becomes compressed or irritated,” says Mary Kimbrough, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Hinge Health. This can affect how your hand feels and moves. While daily tasks like writing, picking up objects, or getting dressed can be uncomfortable with ulnar nerve entrapment, targeted exercises and stretches help it heal.

Read on to learn more about ulnar nerve entrapment, including causes, symptoms, and treatments — especially exercises recommended by our Hinge Health physical therapists.

What is ulnar nerve entrapment?

Ulnar nerve entrapment is a condition that can bring on sensations like tingling, numbness, or  coordination changes in your ring and pinky fingers. This happens when the ulnar nerve, one of three major nerves in your arm, becomes sensitive to pressure at the elbow (cubital tunnel syndrome) or wrist (ulnar tunnel syndrome or Guyon’s canal syndrome). 

Your ulnar nerve helps you move some of your fingers and wrist, so you can do everyday tasks like put on clothing and pick up items with ease. The ulnar nerve also helps your hand sense touch and temperature — something you may have noticed if you’ve ever bumped into your “funny bone” and experienced a brief tingling sensation afterward.

Symptoms of ulnar nerve entrapment 

Ulnar nerve entrapment may sometimes be confused with carpal tunnel syndrome. But carpal tunnel syndrome usually affects your thumb, index, and middle fingers, while ulnar nerve issues affect the pinky and ring fingers, says Dr. Kimbrough. Common symptoms of ulnar nerve entrapment include:

• Numbness and tingling in your ring finger and pinky that may worsen at night

• Curving pinky and ring fingers that look almost like a claw

• Elbow or wrist pain

• Issues with everyday tasks, like typing, picking up items, or opening jars

• Muscle weakness (this usually happens if ulnar nerve entrapment has been going on for a long time)

Causes of ulnar nerve entrapment

Ulnar nerve entrapment happens when your ulnar nerve becomes irritated. Common causes include:

• Repetitive activities. “This is often the most common cause of ulnar nerve entrapment symptoms,” Dr. Kimbrough says. Doing activities where you bend your elbow often, or rest it on a hard surface, can trigger tingling and numbness. “For example, cyclists may notice this from leaning on their handlebars,” Dr. Kimbrough says. People who often rest their elbows on their desks may also experience symptoms while typing or writing. Even falling asleep with your elbow bent can lead to symptoms. 

• Trauma or injury. Even lightly bumping your “funny bone” can lead to swelling and irritation around your ulnar nerve, leading to some of the symptoms above. An elbow fracture can sometimes lead to cubital tunnel syndrome, likely because it creates changes in the area around the ulnar nerve.

• Certain medical conditions. Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can cause narrowing of the ulnar nerve tunnel, making the nerve more prone to entrapment, Dr. Kimbrough says. Research has also found that people who are overweight or have diabetes may have a higher risk of developing ulnar nerve entrapment.

• Ganglion cyst. This is a benign cyst most commonly found in the back of your wrist, which can push against and irritate your ulnar nerve.

• Smoking. People who smoke are more than four times as likely to develop ulnar nerve entrapment compared to nonsmokers.

These exercises can improve mobility and flexibility in your hands, wrists, and neck. They can also strengthen your hands and fingers. All of these dynamic movements can help treat and prevent ulnar nerve entrapment, Dr. Kimbrough says.

The information contained in these videos is intended to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or treatment for any specific condition. Hinge Health is not your healthcare provider and is not responsible for any injury sustained or exacerbated by your use of or participation in these exercises. Please consult with your healthcare provider with any questions you may have about your medical condition or treatment.

Treatments for ulnar nerve entrapment 

Simple lifestyle changes and targeted exercises can help improve symptoms of ulnar nerve entrapment.

• Try physical therapy and targeted exercises. Targeted exercises can help strengthen and stretch surrounding muscles, which can take pressure off the ulnar nerve, says Dr. Kimbrough. You can do exercise therapy at home or work with a physical therapist who can guide you through movements tailored to your needs. You can see a physical therapist in person or use a program like Hinge Health, where you may access a PT via telehealth/video visit.

• Modify your activity. If certain activities bring on tingling or numbness in your pinky and ring fingers, try adjusting how you do them or take short breaks to relax your nerve. For example, biking or gardening may make symptoms more noticeable. Dialing back on how often you do these activities, or taking a break from them altogether until your symptoms subside, can help the area heal. But one thing to stay consistent with is exercise therapy: “It’s important to keep up with your gentle strengthening and stretching exercises, as these help promote blood flow and support healing,” says Dr. Kimbrough. 

• Cushion up. If you work at a desk for several hours a day, you might lean on your elbows without knowing it, which can affect your ulnar nerve symptoms, Dr. Kimbrough says. “Try to keep your wrist in a relaxed position. Using a computer pad can help cushion your wrist as you type or write.” Adding a cushion under your elbow can also provide comfort and support.

• Take over-the-counter medications. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be helpful for ulnar nerve entrapment pain. It’s important to make sure that you are safely able to take these medications, based on your medical history.

• Use night splints. “When we sleep, we often bend our elbows and wrists,” Dr. Kimbrough says. Research shows that wearing a nighttime wrap or brace can help improve symptoms. 

• TENS therapy. TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, uses gentle electrical impulses to interact with your nervous system and help reduce pain associated with ulnar nerve issues. One option is the wearable device Enso, available through Hinge Health. It’s small, wireless, and portable.

Prevention tips for ulnar nerve entrapment

Try these strategies to avoid ulnar nerve entrapment. 

• Break it up. Take regular movement breaks while doing repetitive tasks like sitting and typing, says Dr. Kimbrough. If possible, aim to take a 30- to 60-second break every hour or so to do one of the exercises listed above. 

• Adjust your position. Dr. Kimbrough recommends keeping your arm in a comfortable, straight line from your elbow to your hand as much as possible. Making simple office ergonomics changes — like raising your chair’s arm rests or using a computer pad instead of typing directly on your desk — can make a difference. “The goal is to avoid leaning on your elbows for extended periods of time,” Dr. Kimbrough says.

• Try not to put pressure on your elbows. For example, you can use a headset when talking on the phone. This means you don’t have to lean on your elbow to keep the phone up by your ear. Or, put the call on speaker and wear headphones. While driving, try not to rest your arm on an open window for too long. Small changes like these can help reduce discomfort and support your nerve health.

When to see a doctor

Pain with ulnar nerve entrapment often improves on its own with conservative treatments, Dr. Kimbrough says. But if your pain is severe, getting worse, or causing difficulty with daily activities, see a healthcare provider. It’s also a good idea to get care if you have:

• Severe or constant pain that does not improve with rest or at-home treatment

• Development of muscle weakness in your fingers, hands, or wrists (troubles gripping objects or letting go of objects)

• Pinky and ring fingers that get stuck in a position, sometimes like a claw

• Worries or limitations in your ability to function at work or while doing hobbies

PT tip: Wrap it up

If a brace feels uncomfortable to wear at night, try using a towel instead. “I often suggest patients wrap a bath towel around their arm and secure it with tape,” Dr. Kimbrough says. “It can help keep your arm straight while you sleep and is usually much more comfortable.”

How Hinge Health can help you

If you have joint or muscle pain that makes it hard to move, you can get the relief you’ve been looking for with Hinge Health’s online exercise therapy program.

The best part: You don’t have to leave your home because our program is digital. That means you can easily get the care you need through our app when and where it works for you.

Through our program, you’ll have access to therapeutic exercises and stretches for your condition. Additionally, you’ll have a personal care team to guide, support, and tailor our program to you.

See if you qualify for Hinge Health and confirm free coverage through your employer or benefit plan here.

This article and its contents are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or professional services specific to you or your medical condition.

References

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2. Zhang, D., Earp, B. E., Homer, S. H., & Blazar, P. (2021). Factors Associated with Severity of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome at Presentation. HAND, 18(3), 155894472110588. Doi: 10.1177/15589447211058821

3. Guyon Canal Syndrome. (n.d.). Physiopedia. https://www.physio-pedia.com/Guyon_Canal_Syndrome

4. Frost, P., Johnsen, B., Fuglsang-Frederiksen, A., & Svendsen, S. W. (2013). Lifestyle risk factors for ulnar neuropathy and ulnar neuropathy-like symptoms. Muscle & Nerve, 48(4), 507–515. doi: 10.1002/mus.23820

5. Nishide, Y., Mihata, T., & Abe, M. (2025). Clinical outcomes of ulnar nerve gliding exercise in the non-operative treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. JSES International. doi: 10.1016/j.jseint.2025.02.001

6. Doherty, T, Tarulli A, and Miller T. (2024). UptoDate: Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow and Wrist.