As of Yesterday, I had NO idea what that was. I do now. For two weeks now my pinky and ring finger have been numb. Not painful numb, just normal numbness. Sometimes I’d forget about, other times it gets numb enough to grab my attention. Then one night, lying in bed reading Bicycle Magazine, they had a small blurb on this exact same thing. How’s that for timing. So here’s the scoop (I’m cut and paste from various websites):
Guyon’s canal syndrome is a common nerve compression affecting the ulnar nerve as it passes through a tunnel in the wrist called Guyon’s canal. This problem is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome but involves a completely different nerve. Sometimes both conditions can cause a problem in the same hand.
This syndrome is much less common than carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), yet both conditions can occur at the same time. The numbness caused by these two syndromes affects the hand in different locations. When the median nerve is compressed in CTS, pain and numbness spread into the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. Compression of the ulnar nerve in Guyon’s canal syndrome usually causes numbness in the pinky and half of the ring finger
So what is the Ulnar nerve?
The ulnar nerve actually starts at the side of the neck, where the individual nerve roots exit the spine through small openings between the vertebra. The nerve roots then join together to form three main nerves that travel down the arm to the hand, one of which is the ulnar nerve.
After leaving the side of the neck, the ulnar nerve travels through the arm pit and down the arm to the hand and fingers. As it crosses the wrist, the ulnar nerve and ulnar artery run through the tunnel known as Guyon’s canal. This tunnel is formed by two bones–the pisiform and hamate–and the ligament that connects them. After passing through the canal, the ulnar nerve branches out to supply feeling to the little finger and half the ring finger. Branches of this nerve also supply the small muscles in the palm and the muscle that pulls the thumb toward the palm.
What Caused This?
Guyon’s canal syndrome has several causes. Overuse of the wrist from heavy gripping, twisting, and repeated wrist and hand motions can cause symptoms. Working with the hand bent down and outward can squeeze the nerve inside Guyon’s canal.
Constant pressure on the palm of the hand can produce symptoms. This is common in cyclists and weight lifters from the pressure of gripping. It can also happen after running a jackhammer or when using crutches.
How do I treat it?
Activities that might be causing your symptoms need to be changed or stopped if at all possible. Avoid repetitive hand motions, heavy grasping, resting your palm against hard surfaces, and positioning or working with your wrist bent down and out.
A wrist brace will sometimes decrease the symptoms in the early stages of Guyon’s canal syndrome. A brace keeps the wrist in a resting position (neither bent back nor bent down too far). It can be especially helpful for easing the numbness and pain felt at night and can keep your hand from curling under as you sleep. The wrist brace can also be worn during the day to calm symptoms and rest the tissues within the canal.
Anti-inflammatory medications may also help control the symptoms of Guyon’s canal syndrome. These medications include common over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin.
If all attempts to control your symptoms fail, surgery may be suggested to reduce the pressure on the ulnar nerve
Bicycle Magazine also recommends getting your bike fit. My road bike was professional fit but I may bring it in and have them just double check the measurements and make sure my reach isn’t too far.
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