Features of an ulnar nerve lesion at the elbow
The clinical features of an ulnar nerve lesion at the elbow include:
- wasting of the flexor carpi ulnaris and the ulnar half of the flexor digitorum:
- is apparent on the inner aspect of the flexor surface of the forearm
- weakness of flexor carpi ulnaris causes the hand to deviate to the radial side as the wrist is flexed
- wasting of the small muscles of the hand except the thenar eminence and the first two lumbricals
- clawing of the ring and little fingers (main en griffe):
- loss of the 3rd and 4th lumbricals and all the interossei results in:
- hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal joints
- flexion of the interphalangeal joints
- loss of the 3rd and 4th lumbricals and all the interossei results in:
- paralysis of the hypothenar muscles:
- abolishes abduction of the little finger
- abolishes abduction of the little finger
- paralysis of the interossei:
- abolishes abduction and adduction of the fingers
- abolishes abduction and adduction of the fingers
- paralysis of the adductor pollicis:
- weakens adduction of the thumb which is most evident when a piece of paper is grasped in a pincer grip between thumb and index finger (Froment's sign)
- weakens adduction of the thumb which is most evident when a piece of paper is grasped in a pincer grip between thumb and index finger (Froment's sign)
- numbness and tingling:
- over the two ulnar fingers and the ulnar border of the palm
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