Guyon’s canal syndrome is caused by pressure on the ulnar nerve in the wrist as it passes through Guyon’s canal. This can be due to injury, arthritis, or repetitive activities such as cycling or using heavy machinery. Symptoms include tingling and pain in the little finger and ring finger.
Guyon’s canal syndrome, also known as Guyon’s tunnel syndrome, wrist ulnar nerve entrapment, and manubrium palsy, is a disease that affects the ulnar nerve in the wrist. The more general cause of the condition is that the ulnar nerve, which extends the length of the arm down to the wrist, experiences pressure as it passes through an area near the “little finger” side of the wrist – an area called Guyon’s canal. Pressure can have many different causes, such as injury, arthritis, or even damage from work- or play-related activities that involve using the wrist.
Specifically, for someone to develop the condition, the ulnar nerve needs to be put under pressure or it needs to be compressed. Usually, compression occurs when the nerve reaches two tiny bones in the wrists which create a tunnel for the nerve, called the Guyon’s canal. Many different factors can cause squeezing or pressure.
One of the main causes of the syndrome is trauma to the wrist. Trauma is most frequently the result of a fractured or broken wrist bone. The broken bone can put pressure on the nerve, leading to this syndrome. Also, with some types of wrist injuries, such as a ball-catching injury, the tissues in the wrist may swell, putting excessive pressure on the nerve. As a result, the person may experience the syndrome.
There are some secondary ailments that can also cause Guyon’s canal syndrome. For example, a person with arthritis might experience this syndrome. When joints and bones become inflamed, the inflammation can put pressure on the nerve. Also, a person with a blood clot might experience symptoms associated with the syndrome; if the blood clot compresses the nerve, it can cause tingling and even pain in the ‘little finger’ and ‘ring finger’.
Among the most common causes of Guyon’s canal syndrome are activities associated with a person’s work or play. Generally, any activity that involves continuous and repetitive movements of the wrist, such as twisting, grabbing, and grasping, can cause the syndrome. For example, a person who operates heavy vibrating machinery, such as a jackhammer, might experience the syndrome. Also, a person who holds their wrists and hands unnaturally when operating a computer mouse could develop the syndrome over time.
Bicycling is also a common cause, giving the syndrome its nickname, handlebar palsy. In particular, the awkward position of the wrists on the handlebars of many bicycles, the hard grip that many cyclists use on the handlebars, and the vibration of the handlebars as the user pedals down the road or trail can lead to Guyon’s canal syndrome. Other activities that can cause the syndrome include pushing a stroller and lifting dumbbells.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
