The median nerve can be torn partially or fully or compressed at the elbow. This can be from a fracture or other traumatic injury, or compression from excess fluid build up following an injury.

Injuries such as a supracondylar fracture, elbow dislocationor any form of fracture should be examined for damage to the median nerve. Even relatively minor injuries, to the medial ligament for example, may result in median nerve symptoms due to increased pressure on the nerve from bleeding and swelling in the area.

Symptom:

• Difficulty or even inability to turn the hand over or flex the wrist down.
• Tingling or numbness in the forearm, thumb and the three adjacent fingers.
• Weakness with gripping and inability to move the thumb across the palm.