Numb little finger or 'funny bone' pain: ulnar nerve and cubital tunnel syndrome
Why the little and ring fingers go numb, how the ulnar nerve at the elbow can be irritated, what helps, and when to get checked.
The ulnar nerve passes through a tunnel on the inside of the elbow (the 'funny bone') on its way to the hand. A hospital hand-service leaflet says that when it is compressed or irritated there it can affect feeling in the little finger and half of the ring finger, and the small muscles of the hand. It differs from carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the thumb, index and middle fingers.
When to get urgent help
Go to A&E or call 999 if you have any of these. They can be signs of a fracture, infection, blood clot or other emergency.
- A limb that looks deformed, or a joint that you cannot move or put weight on after an injury
- A cold, pale or numb foot or hand after injury
- A hot, red, swollen joint with a high temperature
- A painful, swollen, warm calf, with or without breathlessness or chest pain
What it can feel like
- Numbness, tingling or altered feeling in the little finger and half the ring finger, often overnight or on waking
- Tingling that comes on when the elbow is kept bent, for example holding a phone, or sleeping with the arms bent
- Aching on the inner side of the elbow
- In more severe cases, weaker grip or clumsiness, and wasting of the small muscles of the hand
Common contributors
- In most cases there is no obvious cause
- The nerve is stretched or squeezed when the elbow is bent for long periods, or when you lean on the inside of the elbow
- An old elbow injury or arthritis in the elbow can contribute
General self-care
These are general comfort measures many people find reasonable. They are not a treatment plan, and what suits one person may not suit another.
- Avoid keeping the elbow fully bent for long periods, for example on calls, and avoid leaning on the inside of the elbow
- The hospital leaflet describes a night splint that keeps the elbow straighter, used for 6 to 8 weeks, and up to 12 weeks if improving. Ask a clinician about this first
- Nerve gliding exercises are described in the leaflet. Reduce or stop them if symptoms worsen
- Mild to moderate cases are usually managed with advice and self-care
When to see your GP
See your GP promptly, or call NHS 111, if you have any of the following:
- Pain after a significant injury, fall or twist
- Pain that is constant, severe or getting worse, or wakes you at night
- Unexplained weight loss, fever or feeling generally unwell with limb pain
Consider seeing your GP if:
- Numbness or tingling that is persistent, spreading, or has lasted more than a few weeks
- Weakness in the hand, a weaker grip, difficulty with fine tasks, or visible muscle wasting between the thumb and index finger. Seek prompt assessment
- Neck pain with arm numbness, weakness in both arms, difficulty walking or loss of bladder or bowel control. Call 999 or go to A&E if sudden or severe
Where an osteopath fits in
There is limited good-quality research showing that hands-on treatment changes the course of ulnar nerve irritation, so I do not claim that osteopathy treats it.
What an osteopath can usefully do is assess the neck, shoulder, elbow and wrist to find where the nerve is being irritated, advise on positions and activity, and refer you on for nerve tests or a specialist opinion if weakness or muscle wasting is present. The leaflet says mild to moderate cases are usually managed with advice and self-care, and that surgery is considered for severe cases or when non-surgical treatment has not worked. If the assessment suggests you need your GP, a physiotherapist or a specialist instead, I will tell you.
If you would like your symptoms assessed, you are welcome to book an appointment. Osteopathic care is not right for everyone, and if something needs medical attention first, I will tell you.
Common questions
Why do my little and ring fingers go numb at night?
A hospital leaflet says this pattern, often overnight or on waking, is typical of irritation of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, which is stretched when the elbow stays bent while you sleep.
Will cubital tunnel syndrome go away on its own?
The leaflet says mild to moderate cases are usually managed with advice and self-care such as a night splint and nerve gliding exercises. Numbness often improves slowly, but full recovery is not guaranteed, and without treatment weakness and numbness may worsen in some people.
Sources and further reading
Links open in a new tab. Sources were checked in October 2026.
Related guides
This page is general information to help you understand common aches and pains. It is not medical advice and cannot diagnose your problem. If you are worried about your symptoms, please speak to your GP or call NHS 111.