Why Does My Golfer's Elbow Come with Numbness in My Ring and Pinky Fingers?

Numbness in the ring and pinky fingers alongside golfer's elbow often means the ulnar nerve is also involved. That nerve runs directly behind the medial epicondyle, the same bony landmark where the golfer's elbow tendon attaches, so irritation of one frequently accompanies irritation of the other.

Being told your numbness is unrelated to your elbow pain, when the two symptoms showed up together, does not match what the anatomy actually shows.

The Mechanism

The common flexor tendon attaches at the medial epicondyle, the bony bump on the inner elbow, and its degeneration is what produces golfer's elbow pain. Directly behind that same bony landmark runs the ulnar nerve, passing through a narrow passage called the cubital tunnel. The two structures sit close enough that swelling, scar tissue, or structural changes around one can affect the other.

Compression of the ulnar nerve at this location is called cubital tunnel syndrome, and it characteristically produces numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers, sometimes with hand weakness or clumsiness, especially after the elbow has been bent for a prolonged period, such as during sleep or while on the phone. One clinical resource describing this overlap notes that up to 60 percent of people with medial epicondylitis have concomitant ulnar nerve irritation, reflecting how closely the two structures interact anatomically.

The mechanisms can also reinforce each other. Chronic flexor-pronator tendon degeneration can thicken the surrounding tissue and narrow the space available to the nerve, while a chronically irritated ulnar nerve can alter how the forearm flexor muscles fire, placing additional strain on the already-degenerating tendon. As with the lateral side of the elbow, the C7 and C8 nerve roots supply this same flexor-pronator muscle group, so cervical nerve root irritation can add a third contributing layer above both the tendon and the local nerve.

When It's Something More Serious

Progressive hand weakness, muscle wasting at the base of the little finger, or a claw-like curling of the ring and little fingers needs prompt evaluation, since these indicate more advanced nerve compression. Numbness that is constant rather than intermittent, or that is spreading, also warrants a timely exam.

How This Gets Addressed

Because the tendon and the nerve sit so close together, both typically need direct attention.

Chiropractic care restores cervical spine mobility to normalize nerve root input to the flexor-pronator muscles, addressing a contributor to both the tendon and the nerve irritation.

Dry needling reduces tension in the flexor-pronator group that can be compressing the nerve while directly stimulating the degenerated tendon to repair.

Physical therapy restores ulnar nerve mobility through gliding techniques and builds graded tendon loading appropriate to your stage.

Naturopathic medicine evaluates the systemic factors, including blood sugar and nutrient status, that affect how well a compressed nerve tolerates pressure.

You can learn more about our full approach to elbow pain here.

Most patients find their numbness and elbow pain ease together once both the tendon and the nerve are addressed, with numbness often responding within a few weeks, although sensation that has been reduced for a long time can take longer to fully normalize.

Written By:

Dr. Jason Winkelmann

Naturopathic doctor, Chiropractor, Chronic Pain Specialist, and Educator

Frequently Asked Questions

Is numbness in my ring and pinky fingers always from my elbow?

Not always, but the pattern is characteristic. The ulnar nerve supplies sensation to exactly the ring and little fingers, and irritation at the cubital tunnel near the medial epicondyle is one of the most common sources. A hands-on exam, including tests that reproduce symptoms with elbow flexion, helps confirm the source.

Should I avoid bending my elbow if I have cubital tunnel symptoms?

Prolonged elbow flexion, such as sleeping with the arm bent or resting on the elbow while on the phone, tends to aggravate ulnar nerve symptoms, and many people find relief from simply changing those habits. This helps manage symptoms but does not address the tendon degeneration or cervical contribution that may be driving the underlying problem.

Can golfer's elbow cause permanent nerve damage?

Mild, intermittent numbness typically improves with appropriate treatment. Muscle wasting, constant numbness, or progressive weakness are signs of more significant nerve compression and should be evaluated promptly, since longer-standing compression is more likely to leave lasting changes if left unaddressed.