Elbow pain: possible ulnar neuritis

Dear Ask The Doctor: Often when I rest my elbows on any surface (hard or soft)or when I roll my elbow over something I get a shooting pain up and down my arm and yet to feel my elbow with my hand it doesn't hurt. And no I can hold my arm out and lift my hand up or down and not experience pain in the elbow like tendinitis. This has been going on for a year now and is driving me nuts. Have not suffered a fall. Age 59 and in very good health. Still strong and fit. Would appreciate any ideas.

Dear Chuck: Like any other peripheral nerve in the body, the ulnar nerve (elbow nerve) may suffer inflammation for diverse causes and produce the symptoms that you described above, which is called Neuritis. The Ulnar nerve because of its superficial position at the elbow, it is often injured by excessive pressure in this area (leaning on the elbow during work, sleeping or while driving a car). The symptoms of ulnar nerve neuritis may vary from mild transient numbness in the ring and small fingers to clawing of these digits and severe muscle atrophy of the hand muscles; also you may have severe pain at the elbow or wrist with radiation into the hand or up into the shoulder and neck. Maybe you have a hard time in opening jars or turning doorknobs. Early fatigue or weakness may be present if you do a work that requires repetitive hand movements. If you use to  rest on the elbows at work, this will increase the numbness that may appear throughout the day. The suggested conservative treatment consist of:  educate you about   avoid resting on elbows at work, using elbows to lift the body from bed, and resting elbows on car windows while driving, using an anterior elbow extension splinting (if necessary), and correction of ergonomics at work should correct the transient numbness. Anti-inflammatory medications also may be useful to relieve nerve irritation. Oral vitamin B-6 supplements may be helpful for mild symptoms. This treatment should be done out for 6-12 weeks, depending on the response.