Muscles
Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Trigger Points
Symptom Area: Forearm and Hand
Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Trigger Points are explored here through their location and referred pain pattern. Muscle knots is an everyday term used for tender muscular spots; myofascial pain describes pain involving muscle and its surrounding connective tissue. Ulnar-side wrist extensor; trigger points produce pain on the ulnar aspect of the wrist and back of the hand.
Where you feel it
When the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris holds active trigger points, you usually notice it as dorsal wrist & hand pain. Where the pain spreads: Pain focused on the ulnar side of the wrist, sometimes spreading proximally along the forearm. What often sets it off: Repetitive wrist rotation with grip (racquet sports, tool use), sustained typing, heavy lifting with deviated wrist positions.
Overview
Extensor carpi ulnaris runs from the lateral epicondyle and posterior ulna to the base of the fifth metacarpal, extending and ulnarly deviating the wrist. It stabilises the wrist during forceful grip and rotation, and its tendon sheath at the ulnar wrist is a common site of irritation.
Trigger point locations
A point in the muscle belly along the posterior ulnar border of the proximal forearm.
Referred pain pattern
Pain focused on the ulnar side of the wrist, sometimes spreading proximally along the forearm.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle in the groove alongside the ulna with the forearm pronated; resisted wrist extension with ulnar deviation makes the taut band prominent.
Common causes
Repetitive wrist rotation with grip (racquet sports, tool use), sustained typing, heavy lifting with deviated wrist positions.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Load management and progressive grip loading, forearm massage, wrist-neutral ergonomics. Clinically: manual release and needling; differentiate from ECU tendinopathy or TFCC pathology at the ulnar wrist.
Treatment protocol
For Extensor Carpi Ulnaris, the general protocol applies: sustained pressure release on the taut band, then stretch and active movement in the newly gained range.
Position and palpation: Palpate the muscle in the groove alongside the ulna with the forearm pronated; resisted wrist extension with ulnar deviation makes the taut band prominent.
Regional precaution for clinicians: In the forearm and hand the median nerve at the pronator teres, the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel and Guyon's canal, the radial nerve in the supinator arcade and the radial artery at the wrist are all superficial and must be avoided; needles are short and angled away from the neurovascular bundles.
Secondary Symptoms
Related muscles in this region
References
- • triggerpoints.net — reference
Medically reviewed by: Marco Aruffo — physiotherapist since 2006, specialised in myofascial pain · Last reviewed:
