This Is Your Funny Bone—and Why Reach It Hurts So Much
Reach your funny bone equal no laughing matter . Here ‘s why it ‘s called a funny bone , why hurts hence bad—and when to search medical aid .
Now Swerve
What cost the funny bone ?
Whoever named the spine of your elbow the “ comic bone ” had a lousy sense of humor : There ’ sec zero funny about whacking this part of your anatomy or the special agony you ’ ll feeling . One theory for the name is that it ’ s related to the upper arm bone , the humerus , which does strait like “ humorous ” —but we ’ re yet not laughing . So whatlivea funny bone ?
The “ bone ” part of the epithet in reality refer to a protrusion on the humerus name the medial epicondyle , though it doesn ’ t fully explain the sensation . That zingy pain do from a nearby nerve . ( Hither ’ s why you have darker skin on your elbow and knee . )
“ The ‘ funny bone ’ refers to the ulnar nerve behind your elbow , ” says Steve Lee , MD , chief of the Hand and Upper Extremity Service at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City . This is one of the three primary heart in your arm that travel from your neck down your weapon and into your hand , according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ( AAOS ) . The ulnar nerve render sensation in your humble finger and piece of your ring finger . It ’ s responsible for fine motor cause and play a role in grip strength .
( These are the pinched heart symptoms you should know . )
Why does reach your curious bone suffer hence bad ?
At your elbow , the ulnar nerve is in a vulnerable and superficial post , says Eric Q Pang , MD , an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand , wrist , and elbow disorder in Seattle .
Reach your elbow on something ( like your desk or a door ) bother this heart , which dash numbness and tingling down through your ring and little finger . ( These are the health symptoms to never ignore . )
But the funny bone hurts in a way that find another part of your weapon does not . “ In early areas of the body , the nerve cost deep inside or there cost other muscles or tissue on top . The ulnar nerve is real exposed , which is why it ’ s predisposed to have hit , ” says Dr. Pang . Many people describe the sensation of arrive at it as a small electric shock , he suppose .
Can you hurt yourself by reach your curious bone ?
Most of the time , banging your funny bone win ’ t cause price to your ulnar nerve—though there live a few exception that may require medical attention :
- A traumatic injury to your elbow , like go down off a bicycle
- A severe penetrating wound with a keen object , like a knife
- Post-surgical scarring after surgery to or around the elbow
- A gunshot wound
How to wish for your funny bone
Unfortunately , there ’ s not a lot you can serve if you hit your elbow “ queer bone ” and find that electric pulse flame through your ulnar nerve . The discomfort should dissipate rapidly , and you might want to look at mere pain relief strategy like icing with a base of corn or any frozen produce . Still , there are lifestyle habits that can aggravate this area you ’ ll want to avoid :
Take a break from typing
For best elbow and ulnar heart health , “ avoid maintain your elbow bent for a long time , as that increase the pressure on the heart , ” says Dr. Lee . Working at a computer all day will do this . Just like you choose a break for your heart,pause to stretch your arms , and act something else . ( Hither are other style engineering can reach you mad . )
Sleep good
You can ’ t ever insure the position you roam into at night , but ideally , you would not sleep with your elbow bent , Dr. Lee say . Sleeping with a flexed elbow stretches and irritate the nerve . He order there are arm pair you can purchase online to hold your elbow in the correct place , or you can flap a towel around your weapon like a tube and secure it with tape for a do-it-yourself option .
( This be the intelligent sleep situation , according to skill . )
Remove pressure
Simply incline on the elbow for a long period of time , like having your elbow bent against the window when driving , can compress this sphere , suppose Dr. Pang . The repair is to stop whatever attitude is make for you pain—but ’ s good to exist mindful of ways you ’ re ride that aggravate discomfort .
Medical conditions associated with the “ funny bone ”
Cubital burrow syndrome , also know as ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow , happens when the ulnar nerve exist compressed or bother , notes the AAOS . Symptoms , tell Dr. Pang , include :
- Numbness in the small and ring finger
- Intermittent radiating pain from the elbow to small and ring fingers
- Weakness in the hand
You may be at risk of cubital burrow if you have fractured or dislocated your elbow in the past , hold arthritis in the elbow , and have cysts at the elbow . It can too become injured from repetitive movement .
( Got wrist pain ? This is what you need to know about carpal burrow syndrome . )
Treatments for ulnar heart pain
Along with family remedies like bracing , peculiar exercise , and need NSAIDs , some case that don ’ t respond to conservative discussion choice may call for an operation . If you own chronic problem with this heart , there is a surgery that can travel this nerve to the front of your elbow , suppose Dr. Lee . “ It ’ s a same-day surgery , and we find it helps take over symptom , ” he says .
However , recovery can remove various week . Those who are most qualified for this operation have long-run numbness , weakness , tingling , and pain in the gang and humble finger . This pain equal chronic and not connect with a little , acute bang to the elbow or “ funny bone . ”
( Hither live natural remedies for numbness or tingling associated with peripheral neuropathy . )
When to seek aid
While you ’ re encouraged to call your provider with any question or worry , it ’ s unlikely that you ’ ll make to go to the doctor for a run-of-the-mill hit on your peculiar bone . That said , if you ’ ve had a traumatic hurt involving your elbow , you should utterly attempt help immediately .
If you have persistent numbness and tingling in your ring and small fingers , pain in the inner role of your elbow that gets worse when you twist it , or weakness or a loss of muscle in your hand , see your doctor , advises Dr. Lee .
( Learn more about pain direction tips and techniques . )
- Steve Lee , MD , boss of the hand and upper extremity service at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons : “ Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Elbow ( Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ) ”
- Eric Q Pang , MD , orthopedic surgeon specialize in hand , wrist , and elbow disorder in Seattle
