Compressed nerve?!

[richedie]

Hey all!

I believe I have a compressed Ulnar nerve in my left hand as my pinky and half my ring finger fall a sleep and become tingly and a bit numb mostly when bending at the elbow. Initial testing finds this to be the cause although I may get a second opinion and seek a chiropractor or alternative non-invasive approach. I am told I may need surgery to correct te problem. If it happened naturally, you would thinkit could correct itself.

Am I okay to work out till that time?

Thanks!
Rich

[Like It Or Not]

Just an FYI-your ulnar nerve is the same nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome. The ulnar nerve does NOT affect the pinky finger, the nerve is mainly used in the thumb, index, middle and slightly in the ring fingers.

Ever had any neck problems? Your C8 vertebrae (Cervical #8) has nerves which affect the pinky and ring finger via dermatomes.

Good Luck, hope you heal up.

[biggaz]

I had tingling in my hand a few yrs back, cuopled with a burning pain in the neck/shoulder.... Trapped nerves around C4 and C5..

Woke up with it and it wasn,t going away, ended up driving with a pack of frozen peas under my shirt..

Chiropractor explained that the 'hole' the nerve passes through is smaller due to misplaced verterbrae and the nerve is swollen as well.

This actually caused a strength loss in my arm that i didn,t even initially realise until I saw the chiro. He 'clicked' things back into place in one visit.

just my experience. Good luck.

[richedie]

Just an FYI-your ulnar nerve is the same nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome. The ulnar nerve does NOT affect the pinky finger, the nerve is mainly used in the thumb, index, middle and slightly in the ring fingers.

Ever had any neck problems? Your C8 vertebrae (Cervical #8) has nerves which affect the pinky and ring finger via dermatomes.

Good Luck, hope you heal up.

Thnaks, but it sounds you might have it backwards. I had a neurologist and an Orthopeadic surgeon say my symptoms were most likely a pinched or compressed Ulnar nerve, affecting the the pinky and half of the ring finger. I have had family with carpal tunnel syndrome and the nerve used in the thumb, index, middle and slightly in the ring fingers is not the ulnar.
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_r...?Thread_ID=143

[richedie]

Well, I had the testing done today and they determined it to be the Ulnar right at the elbow that is entrapped. I am scheduled to see a surgeon, but not for 2.5 weeks. Is this too long to wait I wonder! I thought I had to act quickly...but maybe not that quickly. My fingers are soar and tingly at times but not as bad as what I hear from other who have had the same thing. I read also that an Orthopedic surgeon is recommended so i am not sure why they are sending me to this guy who specializes in plastic surgery of the hand. However, he also has done numerous Ulnar entrappment procedures and other similar procedures. I hope I am not waiting too long.

They said my hand strangth and musle was still good. I also worked out today.

[vol]

Just an FYI-your ulnar nerve is the same nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome. The ulnar nerve does NOT affect the pinky finger, the nerve is mainly used in the thumb, index, middle and slightly in the ring fingers.

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the median nerve, not the ulnar nerve.

[vol]

Well, I had the testing done today and they determined it to be the Ulnar right at the elbow that is entrapped. I am scheduled to see a surgeon, but not for 2.5 weeks. Is this too long to wait I wonder!

In general, surgery is indicated when symptoms don't resolve with 8-12 weeks of conservative therapy, or if there is progressive weakness. So a couple of weeks is probably fine. The outcome goes down if the problem has been going on for longer than 4 months or so.

[richedie]

In general, surgery is indicated when symptoms don't resolve with 8-12 weeks of conservative therapy, or if there is progressive weakness. So a couple of weeks is probably fine. The outcome goes down if the problem has been going on for longer than 4 months or so.

What is 8-12 weeks of conservative therapy? Keeping the arm in a splint? The doctor mentioned none of that and even said I could keep working out, playing guitar, etc. However, I have been trying to keep the arm as straight as possible much if the time.

The doctor said even though my symtoms have been going on for about 3-4 weeks....he said the issue has been there for longer. He said, by the time you have the tingling and numbness, the body has started to lose the ability to compensate.

When I see the surgeon, should I mentioned some alternative therapies before surgery?

This sucks, I am going on vacation with the familiy the last week in September.