A positive Tinel's sign at the elbow suggests entrapment of which nerve?

A positive Tinel's sign at the elbow suggests entrapment of which nerve?

• A. Median Nerve
• B. Radial Nerve
• C. Ulnar Nerve
• D. Axillary Nerve

Answer: (C)

Tinel's sign at the elbow points to entrapment of the ulnar nerve as it passes through the cubital tunnel behind the medial epicondyle. Tapping over this area can reproduce paresthesias in the ulnar distribution (the little finger and the medial half of the ring finger) because compression here irritates the nerve where it is most exposed to pressure and friction. This is characteristic of cubital tunnel syndrome. In contrast, median nerve entrapment typically causes symptoms in the lateral fingers and palm (often at the carpal tunnel or pronator teres region), radial nerve issues produce symptoms along the dorsal hand and thumb area, and the axillary nerve affects the shoulder region. Thus the elbow Tinel’s sign best indicates ulnar nerve entrapment.

Tinel's sign at the elbow points to entrapment of the ulnar nerve as it passes through the cubital tunnel behind the medial epicondyle. Tapping over this area can reproduce paresthesias in the ulnar distribution (the little finger and the medial half of the ring finger) because compression here irritates the nerve where it is most exposed to pressure and friction. This is characteristic of cubital tunnel syndrome. In contrast, median nerve entrapment typically causes symptoms in the lateral fingers and palm (often at the carpal tunnel or pronator teres region), radial nerve issues produce symptoms along the dorsal hand and thumb area, and the axillary nerve affects the shoulder region. Thus the elbow Tinel’s sign best indicates ulnar nerve entrapment.