What is Gyon’s canal, and what nerve is being pinched? Gyon’s canal is a very small little tunnel where the wrist and the palm of the hand meet, on the side of the little finger. The thin ulnar nerve runs through this tunnel. The nerve might be small in diameter but is of crucial importance for the hand. It supplies the feeling to the little finger and the ring finger. But more important it send impulses to the small muscles of the hand.
How do we diagnose it? When a patient complain of needles and pins of the little finger and ringfinger the ortopeadic surgeon must suspect that the ulnar nerve is being pinched (amongst other places), at Gyon’s canal. The more common place for the Ulnar nerve to be pinched is at the level of the elbow. We have ways of distinguishing the two clinically, but if doubt exists a EMG can be performed.
How do we treat it? A decision is taken on the hand of the severity of the impingement. A release of the tunnel is indicated should the condition warrant it. We have a more aggressive approach to the ulnar nerve as this nerve is not as resilient as it partner, the median nerve, in the carpal tunnel.
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