What is Guyon's Canal Syndrome?

Two small bones in the wrist, along the lower edge of the palm, called the pisiform and the hamate, form a canal of sorts through which the ulnar nerve passes. This is called Guyon’s canal, and any obstruction or narrowing of this space can result in sensitivity and numbness or pain in the ring and pinky finger and the wrist. When something obstructs or compresses the ulnar nerve in this location, it is called Guyon's canal syndrome.

Causes of Guyon's canal syndrome are variable. They can include injury or fracture of either the pisiform or hamate bones. Tiny tumors can also form near the nerve obstructing it. Constant pressure on the site, as when someone holds onto the handlebars of a bike can also be a cause, and as a result, it is sometimes called handlebar palsy. Arthritis in the wrist bones may also create problems in Guyon's canal.

Early symptoms include “pins and needles” feelings in the ring and little finger of the affected hand. When this is ignored, Guyon's canal syndrome may progress to a very painful and “burning” sensation in the wrist. The condition also may result in continual numbness of the pinky and ring finger.

The condition often gets worse without medical intervention, and eventually will result in difficulty controlling the muscles in the hands. Spreading the fingers may be difficult and even thumb movements can be challenging. Pain in the wrist often increases.

Usually, the pain and numbness signals a problem. Most people with the condition assume they have carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s actually easy to differentiate between the two syndromes, because carpal tunnel initially causes numbness in the thumb, index and middle finger, while Guyon's canal syndrome first affects the pinky and ring finger.

Diagnosis of the condition is made by taking a thorough medical history and determining what activities the patient engages in. X-rays may be taken if the doctor suspects a broken or fractured bone. Another common test is called nerve conduction velocity (NCV), which measures the speed of nerve impulses and allows the healthcare provider to definitively diagnose where the nerve is working more slowly.

If Guyon's canal syndrome is diagnosed in its early stages, stopping the activities that created the situation can sometimes treat it. Patients may wear a brace at night and during the day to keep the wrist in a stable position. If a fracture is the cause, patients may wear a cast. Some medical professionals also prescribe physical therapy to help patients practice better body alignment and arm and hand positioning to release pressure on the nerve.

When early intervention doesn’t resolve the issue, surgery may be performed to remove any obstruction to the ulnar nerve and rebuild a stable passage for it. This is frequently an outpatient surgery, and patients usually can go home the same day. The hand must stay heavily bandaged for several weeks, and a patient may work with physical therapists after the surgery. The outcome of this surgery is usually good, especially when a physical therapy regime is followed.