What condition results from damage to the ulnar nerve?

The condition that results from damage to the ulnar nerve is characterized by the significant impact on the hand's functionality and appears primarily as the claw hand deformity. This occurs due to the ulnar nerve's role in innervating the intrinsic muscles of the hand, particularly the interossei and the ulnar side of the lumbricals. Damage to the ulnar nerve leads to an imbalance in muscle function, resulting in hyperextension of the proximal interphalangeal joints and flexion of the distal interphalangeal joints, which is indicative of the claw hand posture.

Furthermore, the ulnar nerve affects the ability to abduct and adduct the fingers effectively, leading to a loss of grip strength and dexterity. This condition is particularly apparent when a person attempts to spread their fingers or forms a fist, showcasing the functional limitations resulting from the nerve's compromised integrity.

On the other hand, Bishop's deformity relates more specifically to injury affecting the intrinsic muscles that help maintain the correct positioning of the third and fourth fingers, where there is a noticeable flexion of those fingers due to nerve damage in the context of an ulnar nerve issue. The ape hand is associated with median nerve damage that affects thumb opposition