The elbow is one of the most complex joints in the body. It is where our upper arm bone, the humerus, meets the two bones of the forearm. Three main nerves run through the elbow. One of these is the ulnar nerve. This nerve contains both sensation and motor fibers and extends from the spine to the fourth finger and the little finger.
When the back of your elbow strikes a hard surface, it creates an incredibly uncomfortable sensation that runs down the arm, and it may take you several minutes to regain your composure.
Three main nerves run through the elbow.
Our elbows have an anatomical feature that makes the ulnar nerve particularly susceptible to irritation. Along most of its length, the ulnar nerve is protected, hidden beneath muscle, fat, and bone. However, as the ulnar nerve approaches the elbow, it runs beneath the bone at the end of the humerus and passes through a “tunnel” formed by ligaments and muscle tissue called the cubital tunnel. When you bend your elbow, the ulnar nerve is especially close to the surface of the skin. At this point, the ulnar nerve is only covered by skin and ligament tissue, making it the longest exposed nerve area in our body.
Therefore, when that area is impacted at the right angle with sufficient force, it alters the signals of the ulnar nerve. Instead of sensations only activating peripheral receptors that send electrical signals along the ulnar nerve, the fibers are directly stimulated. This impact increases the nerve signals, leading to an intense tingling sensation known as transient paresthesia, radiating down the entire length of our arm. In rare cases, strikes to this particular point can lead to temporary loss of consciousness due to disrupted nerve signals and blood flow.
Apart from these momentary painful instances, frequent elbow bending activities are thought to put pressure on the ulnar nerve over time. The consequence of this chronic ulnar nerve pain can be persistent paresthesia, as well as weakness in the forearm and hand. Therefore, doctors recommend that you pay attention to protecting your elbows by stretching your arms and keeping your elbows straight, and taking breaks during work activities.
