It can cause numbness, tingling and/or pain in the arm and certain fingers. The condition is caused by compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve.

The ulnar nerve travels from the shoulder, down the arm and into the hand. It controls the movement and sensations for parts of the hand (specifically, the fourth and fifth fingers, the palm, and the inside portion of the forearm.)

The ulnar nerve can be compressed as it passes through the elbow or wrist. However, the elbow is the most vulnerable point because the ulnar nerve is near the surface and travels through a small space (called the cubital tunnel) within the elbow. The ulnar nerve is surrounded by a ligament that (under certain conditions) can thicken and compress the nerve. It is the excessive pressure on the nerve causes symptoms