Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Tendonitis
What is Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Tendonitis (FCU)
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Tendonitis is inflammation of the wrist flexor tendon at the pinky side of the wrist.
It is common for patients to experience inflammation in their tendons, which can lead to tightness and pain when the tendon is subjected to excessive tension. FCU tendinitis originates within the tendon itself, but it may occur at the musculotendinous junction, or in the muscle.
The flexor carpi ulnaris reaches from your elbow to the pinky side of your wrist, and it is mostly used when flexing your wrist.
Symptoms of Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Tendonitis
This condition is known to cause pain and discomfort, especially when flexing or rotating the wrist. It’s not uncommon for flexing your fingers or even holding cups of coffee to become painful activities if you have flexor carpi ulnaris tendonitis.
Flexor carpi ulnaris tendonitis may cause trigger points to develop around your wrist and up your forearm, causing pain when touched.
Moreover, if this tendon becomes too tight, it may impinge on your ulnar nerve and cause more severe pain as a result. It is best for someone to seek medical attention from an orthopedic hand surgeon once discomfort, stiffness, numbness, weakness, or pain first begins to try and reduce the risk of the condition worsening.
Common Causes of Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Tendonitis
Excessive wrist movements in construction and in pitchers with proximal kinetic chain deficiencies may stress this musculotendinous unit.
Activities such as cutting hair and using tools like a screwdriver or hammer can irritate your muscles and cause flexor carpi ulnaris tendonitis. Sports like swimming, tennis, rock climbing, and rugby can all leave an athlete more prone to developing flexor carpi ulnaris tendonitis due to their use of the FCU.
Treatment Options for Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Tendonitis
Whenever you are experiencing pain or discomfort, it is important to see a specialist to receive a diagnosis and treatment plan aimed at restoring the comfort and mobility of the area. In the case of flexor carpi ulnaris tendonitis, a skilled orthopedic hand surgeon like Dr. Jason Pruzansky or Dr. Mark Pruzansky will be able to examine your arm and wrist to determine if this injury is present or developing.
Depending on the severity of your tendonitis, you may be treated with rest, NSAIDS, rehab, and improving ergonomics and sport-specific techniques. As always, surgery is typically not the first option unless a severe injury is present that requires surgical intervention to minimize future damage.
If You Are Experiencing Hand, Wrist, or Forearm Pain, Please Contact Us
Please contact us as soon as possible to schedule an appointment with our talented team. Call Dr. Mark and Jason Pruzansky at 212-249-8700 to schedule an appointment, obtain an accurate diagnosis, and start to improve the function of your wrist so that you can get back to the activities you enjoy.