What Is the Funny Bone? Your Guide to Ulnar Nerve Pain

Have you ever bumped your elbow and felt pain and tingling shoot down into your hand? If so, you most likely found your “funny bone.” Of course, there’s nothing fun or funny about this unique type of pain. The pain fades after a few minutes. But in those moments, it can seem like much longer.

Fortunately, there are simple ways to get rid of funny bone pain as fast as possible.

What is the funny bone?

Your funny bone is actually part of your ulnar nerve. The ulnar nerve is one of the major nerves in your body. It’s part of the brachial plexus — a network of nerves that starts at either side of your spinal cord and travels down your neck and arm and into your forearm and hand. The nerves from your brachial plexus let you control your neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. 

Your ulnar nerves let you control the muscles in your forearm and most of your hand. They allow you to feel touch and sensation on the inner part of your forearm, wrist, pinky finger, and half of your ring finger.

Tissue and muscle in your arms and hands cover and protect most of your ulnar nerve. But the part of the ulnar nerve that’s next to the inside of your elbow is very vulnerable. Only skin and tendon cover it, leaving it more exposed to injury.

The ulnar nerves are quite large, which means they have many nerve endings. So, if you irritate or injure them — like by hitting them against something — all of your nerve endings fire off, causing pain.

Why is it called a ‘funny bone’?

It’s not clear where the funny bone got its name.

One theory claims it’s a play on the word “humerus” — the medical name for the upper arm bone. The ulnar nerve runs along the humerus bone before getting to the elbow. So, if you’re a fan of wordplay, it might be humorous that hitting your humerus leads to this unusual pain.

Another theory is that the sensation of irritating a nerve is so unique that some people described it as “funny.”

Read more like this

Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.

5 Stretches to Relieve Hand and Wrist Pain

Does Carpal Tunnel Surgery Really Work?

Don't Let Golfer's Elbow Hold You Back on the Course – Here’s How to Get Relief

Numb Feet When Running: 8 Common Causes, Plus How to Prevent It

View more

What causes funny bone pain?

Funny bone pain follows the ulnar nerve path, which means you may have pain or an aching sensation at the elbow. But nerve pain can feel different from person to person. Some people describe a sharp, shooting pain. Others may also have numbness or tingling up and down their forearm, hand, and fourth and fifth fingers.

Many things may cause funny bone pain, including:

• Hitting your funny bone: Bumping your elbow, or hitting your funny bone, is the most common cause of funny bone pain. It can irritate the ulnar nerve. And it may cause temporary pain, tingling, and numbness in the forearm and fingers.

• Cubital tunnel syndrome: When the ulnar nerve is squeezed or compressed at the elbow, it can lead to cubital tunnel syndrome. You may develop this condition if you rest on your elbow for long periods or have an elbow injury, like a dislocation or fracture. Symptoms such as pain on the inside of the elbow and numbness or tingling in the ring and pinky fingers may be more persistent.

• Ulnar tunnel syndrome: Ulnar tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve is compressed at the wrist (instead of the elbow). It causes funny bone pain, tingling, and weakness in the fingers and with gripping.

• Cervical radiculopathy: A pinched nerve in your neck can also cause pain, tingling, and numbness in your arms and fingers.

If your symptoms persist, follow up with your doctor so they can find out the exact cause.

What happens when you hit your funny bone?

When you hit your elbow (or funny bone) against something, your ulnar nerve gets squashed between bone and whatever you hit it against. You’ll feel the pain at or near the elbow, where you hit the nerve. But you may also feel pain in your forearm, hand, and fourth and fifth fingers. That’s because the nerves are firing up and down the length of your ulnar nerve.

So, the first step is to relieve pressure on the nerve. Move away from whatever object you hit so you don’t accidentally hit it again. Then, try to keep your elbow as straight as possible. Bending your elbow puts more stress on your ulnar nerve.

The worst pain should go away in a few seconds or minutes. But if you still feel any soreness or tingling, apply a cool compress. You can also take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve irritation in your ulnar nerve. The symptoms should go away in a short period. If they don’t, follow up with your healthcare provider. Ongoing symptoms may be a sign that you have another injury.

Ulnar nerve entrapment

Typically, the pain from hitting your funny bone resolves quickly. But sometimes, it can turn into a more long-term issue.

When the ulnar nerve is irritated or compressed at the elbow or wrist — often from acute injury or overuse — it may cause ulnar nerve entrapment. Cubital tunnel syndrome affects the nerve at your elbow, while ulnar tunnel syndrome affects the nerve at your wrist.

Both can cause funny bone pain, numbness, and tingling. People with ulnar nerve entrapment may also have trouble moving their fingers and a weakened grip. It may also affect fine motor skills, which allow you to do things like fastening buttons or holding a pencil.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there are several causes of ulnar nerve entrapment, including:

• Hitting your elbow or funny bone

• Repetitive movements

• Bending your elbow for long periods

• Resting on your elbow for extended periods

• Fluid buildup in your elbow from swelling or other medical conditions

But, certain risk factors can make you more prone to ulnar nerve entrapment, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Previous elbow injuries, such as fractures or bone spurs

• Diabetes

• Pregnancy

Treatment for ulnar nerve entrapment involves:

• Activity modification

• A short course of NSAIDs

• Nerve gliding exercises

• Night splinting

• Surgery in severe cases

Researchers say that conservative treatment relieves up to 50% of cases and should be done for at least 3 months before surgery is indicated.

Can you break your funny bone?

You might hear a snap or pop when you hit your funny bone. You might also develop bruising and swelling. When this happens, your ulnar nerve stays compressed. So the pain, numbness, and tingling can continue for hours or days.

If any of these things happen to you, see a healthcare provider right away. While uncommon, some people have broken their elbows this way. If your swelling and bruising isn’t treated right away, you can develop ulnar neuropathy or permanent nerve damage.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Jennifer Clements, MD, MSEd, NBHWC

Jennifer Clements, MD, MSEd, NBHWC, is a board-certified physician and health coach who is passionate about achieving optimal health through healthy lifestyles. Clements is a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Integrative Medicine.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts