Arms & Elbows

Nerve dysfunction or pain affecting the arms or elbows can be diagnosed and treated under the care of the specialists at The Atlas Institute Peripheral Nerve Care in Denver.

Woman getting her arm looked at by a doctor

Arm Nerve Diagnostics

Nerve-specific conditions affecting the arms and elbows can be exceptionally painful and come with challenging mobility issues. The first step in treating these conditions is a professional, accurate diagnosis, performed with a variety of nerve tests at our state-of-art nerve center.

Woman stretching with her arms above her head

Nerve Conditions Affecting Arms

The major nerves of the arms include:

musculocutaneous
axillary
radial
median
ulnar

These nerves and their branches can be affected by physical conditions, including an injury, repetitive motions, metabolic problems, toxic exposure, or a health condition.

The Nerve-Related Conditions Affecting the Arms Include:

Brachial neuritis: This condition is characterized by pain in the upper arm or shoulder, followed by weakness, limpness, or in some cases, paralysis.
Pinched or compressed nerve: A pinched nerve in the arm can lead to radiating pain, tingling, numbness, or loss of sensation.

Some common nerve conditions include:

Ulnar nerve compression: When the ulnar nerve is compressed, it can lead to numbness, pain, or tingling in the arms, hands, or fingers.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: A condition in which the median nerve is entrapped when it travels through the wrist’s carpal tunnel.
Radial nerve neuropathy: Damage to the radial nerve of the arm can affect the ability to bend wrists and fingers backward and affect mobility and sensation in the hand and wrist.

Nerve Conditions Affecting Elbows

The elbows are constantly in motion and subject to a range of nerve-specific conditions that affect the ulnar nerve that require treatment to resolve. These include:

Ulnar Nerve Entrapment

Then the ulnar nerve is entrapped as it travels through the elbow structure, it can lead to limited mobility, inflammation, and pain.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

When the ulnar nerve passing through the cubital tunnel, a structure made of muscle, ligament, and bone, is injured, inflamed, or irritated, it causes pain, dysfunction, and affects mobility.

Ulnar Nerve Dysfunction

A problem affecting the nerve running from shoulder to hand can affect the ability to move the arm, wrist, or hand, causing chronic or acute pain or worse.

Ulnar Neuropathy

Damage to the ulnar nerve can cause pain, tingling, or numbness. The pain is often located at the inside of the elbow and forearm area and can extend to one or both hands.

Symptoms of Arm and Hand Neuropathy

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from arm or hand neuropathy:

Numbness
Tingling sensation
Sharp or jabbing pains
Burning pain
Changes in the ability to grasp or hold objects
Paralysis
Muscle weakness
Severe pain
Sensitivity to cold or heat
Tenderness at elbow joint
Muscle wasting at the hand
Difficulty with finger coordination
Sensation that the hand is “falling asleep," including during the night
Tingling or numbness in ring and little finger

Treatments for Arm and Hand Nerve Pain and Dysfunction

The treatment that will produce the best outcome will reflect the results of advanced testing to locate the source of pain or dysfunction. The types of treatments can include:

Joint denervation: This minimally invasive procedure prevents the affected nerve branches from sending pain signals while preserving the integrity of the joint.
Surgical release of pressure on the nerve: Cubital tunnel release surgery can allow the compressed nerve to function normally.
Repair of damaged nerve: A damaged nerve can be repaired with advanced nerve treatments, including neuroma removal, tendon transfer, joint denervation, neurolysis, nerve grafts, nerve transfers, or nerve tumor excision.
Excision of injured nerve: Neuroma or scarred nerve excision can be used to treat nerve pain and dysfunction.
Tendon transfer surgery: Tendon transfer surgery can be used to improve or restore function.
Injections: Ultrasound guided cubital tunnel injections.
Medications: Various medications can be prescribed to resolve ongoing pain or reduce inflammation.
Non-operative treatments: Other treatments may include braces, heat and cold applications, physical therapy, or other non-operative treatments.

Why Choose The Atlas Institute?

The Atlas Institute is a state-of-the-art practice that is equipped with next-generation diagnostic and therapeutic technology and offers both nonoperative and operative treatment methods for peripheral nerve pain and dysfunction at the arms and hands. The impact of these nerve-related conditions can be extreme and may not be recognized or even believed by other providers who lack the testing protocols to accurately identify the source. With an accurate diagnosis and directed treatment plan, the pain, mobility issues, and lack of normal function can be decreased or resolved altogether. Our nerve treatment team has advanced training in nerve-specific maladies and offers the full spectrum of treatment options.