Funny joke, right? But, serious damage to this nerve in the elbow, called the funny bone, really is no laughing matter.
At the elbow, the “ulnar nerve” travels through a tunnel of tissue…from your neck to your hand. Inside the elbow, the nerve runs under a bone and is close to your skin. Bumping it causes a not-so-funny, tingling and shock-like feeling. Most of the time the sensations go away quickly. But, sometimes, it can cause long-lasting, serious pain if the nerve has been damaged. This is when you need to see the orthopedic specialist.
There are some ways you can relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve (or funny bone):
- Avoid activities that require you to keep your arm bent for long periods
- Keep your arms at a comfortable 90-degree angle in a nice, neutral resting position when typing on a keyboard
- Avoid leaning or resting on your elbows
- Try to keep your elbows straight at night when you are falling asleep
If your symptoms don’t go away, are causing you pain, and/or starting to interfere with normal activities, schedule an appointment with our orthopedic specialist specializing in conditions of the hand and elbow, Dr. Justin S. Mitchell of The Hand Surgery Center at Ortho El Paso. He will examine your arm and hand to determine which nerve is being compressed, test for feeling and strength in the fingers and figure out why your funny bone isn’t a joke anymore.
For an appointment with The Hand Surgery Center at Ortho El Paso for conditions of the hand and elbow, call 915-249-4000 or visit us at http://www.orthoep.com/precision-hand-surgery-center.html
