The funny bone, neither comedic nor a bone, is actually a nerve! The ulnar nerve is one of three nerves that control and bring feeling to the hand. The nerve begins at the armpit, but doesn't perform a function until it reaches the forearm. Without the ulnar nerve, a person could not perform many fine motor tasks, most of which include bending and straightening the pinky and ring fingers.

Ulnar nerve entrapment occurs when the nerve becomes compressed when it passes through the wrist or the elbow. This condition is also known as bicycler's neuropathy or handlebar palsy, since regular bicyclists put pressure on their ulnar nerve by holding the handlebars with their elbows perpetually bent for long periods of time. In most cases. the condition is treated non-operatively, although in some severe cases a doctor may recommend surgery.

Next Section »