Why Does Hitting the Funny Bone Hurt

A fall onto an extended hand is a typical cause of ulnar wrist discomfort. This has the potential to shatter bones in the wrist. Sports such as tennis, golf, and football can cause tendons and ligaments to be damaged if the wrist is bent back too far. This can lead to pain when moving the wrist joint.

The pain may go away on its own or you may need medical attention. If the pain doesn't go away within a few weeks then see a doctor.

Doctors will first ask you about your symptoms and what activities cause them. They will also do a full clinical examination of your arm to look for other problems such as fractures. They may want to take x-rays or images of your wrist to see if there's any damage present. Based on their evaluation, they may suggest treatments such as splints or exercises to help relieve your pain.

Why does the bone on the outside of my wrist hurt?

Some of the reasons of ulnar wrist discomfort are as follows: Fractures of the wrist Arthritis of the bone's joint(s) When the ulna is longer than the radius, it can "bump against" the smaller wrist bones, resulting in ulnar impaction syndrome (Figure 2). This condition can be caused by a variety of factors including trauma to the forearm, repetitive use, etc.

The pain associated with this condition may or may not be severe but it can be felt on the outer side of the arm just below the shoulder. The irritation of the nerve that runs along with the artery that goes over the elbow causes the pain.

The common term for this problem is "ulnar styloid fracture". However, there are many other fractures that can occur with the same anatomical location so don't assume that you have this problem until you get checked out by a doctor.

If you think that you have this problem, see your doctor right away. He or she will perform some tests to determine the cause of your pain and create a treatment plan that will help you avoid long-term problems.

What happens when your ulna bone is too long?

Ulnar impaction syndrome occurs when one of the forearm bones (ulna) is overly lengthy in comparison to the other (radius). This puts too much pressure on the ulnar side of the wrist, causing discomfort and wear and tear. As the condition persists, it can lead to osteoarthritis of the joint.

The radius and ulna are two long bones that form the upper arm. They are also called diaphyses because they have a central ovoid mass called a diaphysis (meaning "central beam") that supports weight while providing stability for the developing muscle tissue. The radius is longer than the ulna. Both bones develop cartilage at their ends which becomes bone later. The area between the two bones contains some small muscles that help move the hand. There are three major joints in the hand: the knuckle of the finger (pinky), the metacarpal (index, middle, ring, or little) of the hand, and the carpus (wrist). The joint between the radius and the ulna is called the radioulnar joint. It is a gliding joint with no definite ligaments so it is very flexible. The joint between the head of the radius and the capitate (a large bone found in the wrist) is called the radio-capitellar joint. It is a ball-and-socket joint with several ligaments to keep it stable.

Why does the ulnar side of my hand hurt?

Wrist meniscus injuries of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), injuries above the wrist of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ), ulnar impaction syndrome, and irritation of the wrist tendons are all common causes of discomfort on the pinkie-side ("ulnar") of the wrist (extensor and flexor carpi ulnaris). The radial side of the wrist is usually pain-free.

The extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) muscle crosses over the ulna just below the elbow to attach to the underside of the radius. It provides extension for the hand and acts to push up the tip of the nose when eating. ECU is often a cause of pain in the ulnar side of the wrist. The flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) muscle runs along the inside of the arm toward the hand. It helps flex the forearm and pinch small objects between the thumb and forefinger. FCU is also often a cause of pain in the ulnar side of the wrist. Both the ECU and FCU muscles are attached to the bone near where they cross over the ulna; this area is called the insertion point. When there is injury or inflammation at this insertion, then the muscles will feel sore and may even hurt when they are stretched. Soreness after playing sports such as tennis or golf can be caused by strain on the insertion points of these muscles.

Why do I feel like hitting my funny bone?

The ulnar nerve goes from your neck to your fingertips and passes via the cubital tunnel, which is made up of muscle, ligament, and bone. When it is squeezed or damaged, it causes agony similar to hitting your funny bone. This is also called "radial neuropathy". It can be caused by trauma to the arm or elbow, but also by diabetes or alcoholism. The pain usually starts well away from the injury site and may spread to other parts of the hand.

The nerve leaves the elbow behind the biceps muscle and runs along the inside of the upper arm until it reaches the tip of the middle finger. At this point, it divides into two branches: one goes to the little finger, and the other continues on as the radial nerve toward the wrist. The pain from a damaged nerve may come in waves, traveling like a wave from one end of the arm to the other. Sometimes the whole arm, hand, or even shoulder will be affected by pain due to a problem with the nerve.

Damage to the nerve can be done by trauma to the arm or elbow, such as in a car accident. Other factors such as diabetes or alcoholism can also cause damage to the nerve, resulting in "radial neuropathy". The pain from a damaged nerve may start well away from the injury site and may spread to other parts of the hand.

What happens when you hit your ulnar nerve?

Ulnar neuropathy develops when the ulnar nerve is damaged. This nerve runs from the elbow to the wrist, hand, and ring and little fingers. It runs close to the surface of the elbow. As a result, touching the nerve there generates the discomfort and tingling associated with "hitting the funny bone." Other nerves in the arm may be affected too, including the radial nerve which passes along side of the ulnar nerve. Damage to these nerves can also cause pain and tingling in the hand.

The nerve may be injured by getting caught in the wall of the elbow when lifting heavy objects or by being stretched over a joint. It may also be injured by getting caught in the lining of the chest or neck muscles when doing arm-crossed lifts above your head. The nerve may be transected (cut) at its origin in the upper arm when a patient with cancer loses weight too quickly following surgery to remove the tumor.

Patients with ulnar nerve damage often complain about pain and weakness in their hand. They may have difficulty grasping small objects such as toothpaste tubes or keys. Because the nerve supplies sensation to the skin of the tip of the finger next to the nerve's path, patients may also experience loss of feeling there.

About Article Author

Dr. Travis has been a practicing surgeon for over 20 years, and is recognized as an expert in her field. She attended the University of Michigan Medical School before going on to complete postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She has worked at major hospitals throughout the United States and around the world.

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Source: https://staminacomfort.com/why-does-my-ulna-bone-hurt

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