Flexor Carpi Ulnaris: Pain Pattern and Treatment
The flexor carpi ulnaris runs down the inner side of the front of the forearm from the inner elbow to the small bone at the base of the palm on the little-finger side. It bends the wrist and tilts it toward the little finger. Its documented pattern is pain at the front of the wrist on the little-finger side. The ulnar nerve passes beneath this muscle at the elbow and beside its tendon at the wrist, so a tight one can also make the ring and little fingers tingle. This is a sub-page of the forearm flexor group page.
Attachments and action
Origin: Two heads: the medial epicondyle of the humerus, and the olecranon and upper back border of the ulna. The ulnar nerve passes between them.
Insertion: The pisiform, and through it the hamate and the base of the fifth metacarpal.
Action: Flexion of the wrist and ulnar deviation, tilting the hand toward the little finger; it steadies the wrist during a strong grip.
Where the pain is felt: At the front of the wrist on the little-finger side, at and around the small bone at the base of the palm. A short way up the inner front of the forearm. With nerve involvement, tingling and numbness in the ring and little fingers.
Common causes: Golf and racquet sports; hammering and using a wrench; a mouse held with the wrist tilted outward; leaning on the elbows at a desk, which loads the nerve as well; a fall onto the heel of the hand; cycling with the weight on the hands.
Patients say: "The little-finger side of my wrist, in front." "My ring and little fingers tingle." A wrist that hurts wringing out a towel. "They called it golfer's elbow, but the pain is at my wrist."
When to get evaluated: Numbness in the ring and little fingers with weakness spreading the fingers or wasting between the thumb and index finger needs a nerve conduction study. Wrist pain after a fall, with swelling on the little-finger side, needs an X-ray first. A hot, swollen wrist with fever needs medical evaluation.
How this muscle is examined and treated
Examination tests wrist flexion and little-finger-side tilt against resistance, presses the muscle along the inner front of the forearm for the point that reproduces the wrist pain and the finger tingling, and checks the elbow and the wrist for the nerve's tenderness. Needling here addresses the muscle along the inner front of the forearm, with the ulnar nerve's course respected at both ends. Assessment and treatment happen in the same visit.
Related conditions
TendinitisSports & Performance InjuriesChronic Pain Patterns
This page is educational. It describes muscle referral patterns commonly associated with pain; it does not diagnose your condition. Individual patterns vary. For evaluation of your specific pain, see a licensed clinician. Seek immediate medical care for emergencies. Eugene Baek, L.Ac. · New Jersey License 25MZ00080600