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Ulnar Nerve damage. Could use advice
Kailef posted:
Due to some real life medical problems, I walk with a walker at home. I'm only 32 years old. I apparently put too much pressure on my left elbow while walking with the walker.
About 2 months ago, I started feeling pain in my left elbow. About a week later, the pain finally went away.
About 1 month ago, the pain in the elbow came back. Ever since then, the pain has remained in my elbow. On top of that, it has also caused my left pinky finger, left ring finger, and part of the left middle finger completely numb. It's not a numb feeling that goes away as if your hand fell asleep. This is constant numbness I've had for over 4 weeks now, since the pain in my left elbow came back the 2nd time.
I went to my doctor. They got some xrays done. They also gave me a half a dose of a steroid shot in the buttocks.
My doctor also set me up with a nerve conduction study. The person who did the nerve conduction study did find out and confirmed that my ulnar nerve in my left arm, up towards my shoulder and possibly my neck is damaged.
He gave me the 3 basic options to fix it. Rest, therapy, and surgery. I'm meeting with a spine specialist in Louisville in 3 weeks to get a better opinion since my doctor doesn't feel comfortable making the decision.
The problem is, the numbness is so bad that my fingers hurt pretty badly. My doctor gave me some ultracet and flexeril to hopefully help, but it's not helping at all.
I could use some advice. It brings tears trying to trim my pinky fingernail. The numbness is so bad it hurts, and the slightest bump on my pinky causes pain.
Anyone have any advice on how to go about easing the numbness and pain? I've tried Ibuprofen but doesn't seem to help either.
I have to wait 3 weeks to see this spine specialist just to see what option is best for me.
I'm not using the computer much at all. I'm keeping my left arm straight and letting it rest and relax. I'm not using it to lift anything and just trying to let the left arm rest as much as possible.
But I could use some advice on what I could possibly do to ease or even possibly eliminate the numbness....or am I stuck with dealing with the numbness until I see this spine specialist?
I have a bad back, shoulder and neck problems, so that's partly why i'm being sent to this spine specialist.
About 2 months ago, I started feeling pain in my left elbow. About a week later, the pain finally went away.
About 1 month ago, the pain in the elbow came back. Ever since then, the pain has remained in my elbow. On top of that, it has also caused my left pinky finger, left ring finger, and part of the left middle finger completely numb. It's not a numb feeling that goes away as if your hand fell asleep. This is constant numbness I've had for over 4 weeks now, since the pain in my left elbow came back the 2nd time.
I went to my doctor. They got some xrays done. They also gave me a half a dose of a steroid shot in the buttocks.
My doctor also set me up with a nerve conduction study. The person who did the nerve conduction study did find out and confirmed that my ulnar nerve in my left arm, up towards my shoulder and possibly my neck is damaged.
He gave me the 3 basic options to fix it. Rest, therapy, and surgery. I'm meeting with a spine specialist in Louisville in 3 weeks to get a better opinion since my doctor doesn't feel comfortable making the decision.
The problem is, the numbness is so bad that my fingers hurt pretty badly. My doctor gave me some ultracet and flexeril to hopefully help, but it's not helping at all.
I could use some advice. It brings tears trying to trim my pinky fingernail. The numbness is so bad it hurts, and the slightest bump on my pinky causes pain.
Anyone have any advice on how to go about easing the numbness and pain? I've tried Ibuprofen but doesn't seem to help either.
I have to wait 3 weeks to see this spine specialist just to see what option is best for me.
I'm not using the computer much at all. I'm keeping my left arm straight and letting it rest and relax. I'm not using it to lift anything and just trying to let the left arm rest as much as possible.
But I could use some advice on what I could possibly do to ease or even possibly eliminate the numbness....or am I stuck with dealing with the numbness until I see this spine specialist?
I have a bad back, shoulder and neck problems, so that's partly why i'm being sent to this spine specialist.
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Ulnar Nerve damage. Could use adviceDue to some real life medical problems, I walk with a walker at home. I'm only 32 years old. I apparently put too much pressure on my left elbow while walking with the walker.<br /><br />About 2 months ago, I started feeling pain in my left elbow. About a week later, the pain finally went away.<br /><br />About 1 month ago, the pain in the elbow came back. Ever since then, the pain has remained in my elbow. On top of that, it has also caused my left pinky finger, left ring finger, and part of the left middle finger completely numb. It's not a numb feeling that goes away as if your hand fell asleep. This is constant numbness I've had for over 4 weeks now, since the pain in my left elbow came back the 2nd time.<br /><br />I went to my doctor. They got some xrays done. They also gave me a half a dose of a steroid shot in the buttocks.<br /><br />My doctor also set me up with a nerve conduction study. The person who did the nerve conduction study did find out and confirmed that my ulnar nerve in my left arm, up towards my shoulder and possibly my neck is damaged.<br /><br />He gave me the 3 basic options to fix it. Rest, therapy, and surgery. I'm meeting with a spine specialist in Louisville in 3 weeks to get a better opinion since my doctor doesn't feel comfortable making the decision.<br /><br />The problem is, the numbness is so bad that my fingers hurt pretty badly. My doctor gave me some ultracet and flexeril to hopefully help, but it's not helping at all.<br /><br />I could use some advice. It brings tears trying to trim my pinky fingernail. The numbness is so bad it hurts, and the slightest bump on my pinky causes pain.<br /><br />Anyone have any advice on how to go about easing the numbness and pain? I've tried Ibuprofen but doesn't seem to help either.<br /><br />I have to wait 3 weeks to see this spine specialist just to see what option is best for me.<br /><br />I'm not using the computer much at all. I'm keeping my left arm straight and letting it rest and relax. I'm not using it to lift anything and just trying to let the left arm rest as much as possible.<br /><br />But I could use some advice on what I could possibly do to ease or even possibly eliminate the numbness....or am I stuck with dealing with the numbness until I see this spine specialist?<br /><br />I have a bad back, shoulder and neck problems, so that's partly why i'm being sent to this spine specialist.
TNTTony responded:
Kailef: I have had ulnar tunneling in both arms for over 10 years with 2 surgeries on my left arm. In addition to the symptons you have mentioned my pinky fingers and ring fingers are drawn to my palms. I also have back and neck problems. It is my experience that nothing will help the pain felt by the numbing or the numbing itself. There is a rubbing compound that does help the pain coming from the elbow. The drawback is being around heat causes the area to have an extreme burning sensation. Basically throughout the years it has just become part of my life. Surgery is a personal choice that works great for some not so good for others (as in my case). This is why I chose not to have any more surgeries. I wish that I could give you a better answer but this has been my experience. I wish you the best of luck and can only hope that the spine specialist can give you the help mine couldn't!!
Report This| Share this:Ulnar Nerve damage. Could use adviceKailef: I have had ulnar tunneling in both arms for over 10 years with 2 surgeries on my left arm. In addition to the symptons you have mentioned my pinky fingers and ring fingers are drawn to my palms. I also have back and neck problems. It is my experience that nothing will help the pain felt by the numbing or the numbing itself. There is a rubbing compound that does help the pain coming from the elbow. The drawback is being around heat causes the area to have an extreme burning sensation. Basically throughout the years it has just become part of my life. Surgery is a personal choice that works great for some not so good for others (as in my case). This is why I chose not to have any more surgeries. I wish that I could give you a better answer but this has been my experience. I wish you the best of luck and can only hope that the spine specialist can give you the help mine couldn't!!
earlyretirement responded:
hello Kailef, sorry to hear about your problems. I also have severe osteoarthropathies which effect my entire spine but when I had a cervical disc herniation it caused severe pain to the back of my elbow area and numbness in my fingers and surgery gave me immediate relief- nothing really helped up until that point except with positioning of my neck and keeping it in a neutral position, sorry not much help
Report This| Share this:Ulnar Nerve damage. Could use advicehello Kailef, sorry to hear about your problems. I also have severe osteoarthropathies which effect my entire spine but when I had a cervical disc herniation it caused severe pain to the back of my elbow area and numbness in my fingers and surgery gave me immediate relief- nothing really helped up until that point except with positioning of my neck and keeping it in a neutral position, sorry not much help
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