Ulnar Nerve Entrapment - Annoying as hell
 

Sometime around 3-4 weeks ago I began having pins and needles in my left pinky by the end of the day.

As time passed it became longer and more numb. Then it progressed to half of my ring finger next to my pinky and the lower 3rd of my palm.

In the last 10 days it's just completely numb and painful at times. Having some burning in my palm and some forearm issues.

It's my ulnar nerve and it's become entrapped somewhere along the nerve route between my tricep down to my wrist.

Making daily life a pain in the ass with any typing, laptop work or much else.

On steroids for a gout flareup but so far no effect on the inflamed and/or entrapped nerve.

Had this happen to my right arm in 1989 when I fractured my elbow. This time it appears that I rolled my arm back and forth across my counter will working on my laptop and somehow got it pinched.

I just visited my regular doctor last Thursday for the gout as well along with blood work.

Refered me to specialist and have to wait 3 1/2 weeks to see him.

This ****ing sucks! :cuss:

I have an ulnar nerve issue almost exactly like yours.

Pain in my left elbow, numbness in my pinky and ring fingers on the left hand.

I was just going to say - if you work on a computer, watch how your arms are resting on the desk. That can absolutely cause problems.

In my case, though it starts in my back so even with improved posture at my desk, I still have occasional problems.

Quit jacking off so much

im sorry man, pain sucks


try some thc / cbd?

I'm a righty. This is lefty issue. That would be my first guess too! :D

I literally started mine sitting in front of a computer...

It sucks, I dislocated my elbow years ago playing basketball, then about ten years ago my pinky and the outside of my ring finger went numb.
So, I went to a specialist, went through the session where the put electrodes (not fun) on both arms to determine where the problem was, turned out I had a pinched nerve in my elbow so they went in and just moved it over.
My pinky is still a little numb, ring finger good.

How did it resolve itself or what did you do to resolve? :hmmm:

I'm trying many things with no success.

Mine is in my back somewhere, I stopped all the testing after a while. Got tired of getting poked and prodded with no relief so I just gave up.

If yours is in your elbow, it might be a lot easier to figure out the cause and fix it.

I injured mine in a car accident almost 2 years ago. Had surgery on it last June, and it is better than it was, but the healing process is extremely slow. Dr. said it heals about an inch a month, mine was at the elbow so it will take at least a year for the nerve to fully heal. I recommend the surgery once they send you through all the hoops that don't help!

I'm pretty sure these issues evolved with the Patrick Mahomes era.

Sucks man. Dad had some spinal stenosis that he had fixed this winter. He’s a different dude. Bottom line I want no part on nerve issues.

I have neuropathy in both feet. Bought a tens unit from Amazon. AUVON rechargeable. 33.00. It works. I use it daily while watching tv. Have used it on other wounds too. Worth its weight in gold.

I've had a ulnar release in the elbow many many years ago. Still have no feeling in my pinky and ring finger. Good luck.

Underrated comment if the day

OP, stop drinking and I bet it starts getting better

I think that is where mine is entrapped as well. I will put off any surgery to my back for as long as I able to. Matter of a fact I spoke to my sports medicine dr. today about this very thing. I only have numbness and no pain there so I can't see any reason to get all up in my spine.

In the last 4 months I have been drinking almost nothing.

I can't believe how many people have endured this bullshit.

All these repetitive motion jobs with laptops / cellphones are killing all of health!

I'm no doctor, but I think you need to drink more than that.

When I keep my elbows bent for too long I have the same issues. Middle finger-pinky all go numb. It happens when I sleep and especially when I play video games with a controller. I went and saw a doc about it and he did nerve flossing on me. If you aren't familiar, its stretching with you wrist,hand and arm all in particular placements. It was pretty painful. I never noticed any changed in the symptoms, so I just decided not keeping my elbows bent for long periods of time was an easier, less painful fix.

I had the same thing. I had surgery on my ankle and they did my elbow at the same time. After 2 yrs, left pinky still a little numb. I had it start a "tad" in my right hand.

2 things:

I sleep on my back and I would have my arms folded over my chest. Straight arms keep the nerve from hyper-extending. So I have tried to change that.

Sitting at the desk: I have folded towels and or cushioned arm rests at every work space where I rest my elbows.

Bottom line: it takes time and don't hyper extend the nerve at the elbow. There are some stretching exercises that you can look up. They didn't help me, but I didn't do them much.


THIS

There is a reason why the nerve is "caught/stretched". If that and over time it will be fine.

Having numbness in the middle finger suggests it might be more than just the ulnar nerve. Usually, ulnar nerve issues affect the pinky and ring finger. Not saying that's not your issue but you might have more going on there.

I've worked in IT for over 20 years and developed the exact symptoms about 4 years ago.

I tried just about everything. Nothing worked. I figured I'd have to live with it.

About 2 years ago I started getting pretty severe migraines. Every day. This was not something I was willing to live with, so I ended up seeing a neurologist. He prescribed me Gabapentin.

It not only cured the migraines, but it also cured the ulnar nerve issues.

Good luck

Well, there's your problem.

Finally getting put on Allopurinol has been a game changer for my Gout. Haven't had a single flare up in the year plus since going on the drug. My diet hasn't changed - still eat and drink all the shit I want. No experience with issues related to my Ulnar Nerve though.

Apparently you are right. Its been a while since I had symptoms. I guess you could say my divorce was my cure. I now have a woman who doesn't mind if my hands are on her when we sleep and have a lot less time to play video games because we like to do things together.

True.

Seriously, have you tried a tens unit? They are no longer expensive. I have neuropathy in both feet. Bought a tens unit from Amazon.
AUVON rechargeable. $33.00.
It works. I use it daily while watching tv. Have used it on other wounds too. Worth its weight in gold.

Never bit I'll check into it. Thanks!

Been up since 1:35 AM with a raging gout attack in my right foot after I just finished 6 days of steroids yesterday morning that fixed it.

**** my life this last month.

I thought losing 40 pounds was good for your health. :shrug:

I used to work with a guy who had bad gout attacks because all he ever ate was summer sausage. Maybe you should cut back on your summer sausage intake.

The internets seem to believe they're connected.

https://i.imgur.com/7Zwx40i.jpg

I just had my Uric Acid level tested a week ago and ot was on the higher end of ULN, but not past top range.

I know it rises with a water fast. Staying hydrated is supposed to help suppress the rise.

I was on that crap before I got herniated disc in neck fixed.

Made me feel even worse so I stopped. Tried FECO and was almost pain free and was able to sleep for more than 15 minutes a time.

I've had 1.5 gallons of water since 1:45am. Trying to flush it out like prior times.

Just finished up with the Orthopedic doctor for my hand and I have to go for a Electromyography (EMG). Then it will determine small operation or larger one. He may try a Meloxicam pack to see if that works prior to surgery but most likely it will be an operation.

Thank God it's my left hand so it won't top the whacking off to Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Tomorrow morning is my EMG and then my orthopedic doc will decide the surgery needed.

Has anyone ever had surgery to resolve this?

I'm curious on success rate and recovery time.

Most specialists down here are 8-12 weeks out to see.

been taking Gabapentin for years for sciatica. Good shit. No side effects.

I've had a ulnar release in my left elbow, not transposition. It did not fix the issue.

Doubtful the transposition would improve it either. But that has no bearing on if the surgery will be good for you.

Nerve releases (carpal, cubical) have generally good results.

Transpositions are more hit and miss. But your hand is numb, so gotta roll the dice.

And if it’s pressure caused by keyboarding, that sounds like a potential work comp injury. If you work for Amazon, those guys are massive dicks.

Best of luck getting this resolved. Sounds miserable.

Sitting here for 30 minutes waiting to be prepped for surgery. They called me at 4pm yesterday and told me to come in at 6:30am rather than 7:30am due to a cancellation. Of course I'll be sitting here until 7:30.

Lost 1 hr of sleep. ROFL

Gotta love the hurry up and wait...

It never fails.

Let us know how it goes. I am curious how this all will work out.

Will do. Doc said I should start getting feeling back in a week or two. Couldn't guarantee anything of course. Also said 1-2 months should be all back to normal.

I'm still sitting here 57 minutes after I arrived. I'm falling asleep in the lobby. What a waste to have me arrive an hour early.

Holy ****, they made me come in an hour earlier than scheduled and still sitting here in lobby 1:15 later.

As long as the surgery is successful, this is a small price to pay.

At least you have us to entertain you...:D

Back home and recovery begins.

Surgery was 92 minutes and all went really well. I come out of anesthesia really well. They had me up and out in like 20-25 minutes after I woke up. I waited 1:47 minutes in the lobby after they made me come in 1 hour early. Wasn't too happy about that and no one had a good answer as to why.

Have a soft cast over my left arm starting at my bicep down to half of my fingers.

So many things I can't do now or a huge struggle to complete. Gonna be a challenging two weeks.

lil_momma has has eight surgeries, four on each wrist in the last year. The one you did takes awhile to heal. We are trying to avoid one more. Good luck my brother.

Holy shit!

Carpal tunnel? Why so many.

Prayers sent that there will be no more.

Nauseous as shit all afternoon. I can taste the anesthesia coming out of me. tough day 2

Hope it's as good as new. Time to switch batters & give righty a break

Good luck man. I'm going in the 19th to have the carpal tunnel surgery and a relocation of my ulnar nerve. Haven't felt much of anything in my pinky or ring finger in about a year now. I don't really care about that since it doesn't hurt, I just want my damn wrists to stop aching all the time.

Doctor said with both surgeries I'm looking at a 6-12 week recovery, and then we'll see how I take to it to do the left arm.

Man I got nerve damage in my left thumb. It started 8 or nine years ago right when I was night fishing and got stung by a scorpion. I didn't get any super powers :harumph: go figure :rolleyes: I should have gone to the hospital at 1:30 am but I started get bites and catching fish but my thumb was throbbing and it hurt like hell. I didn't go to the hospital the pain was agonizing but I endured and caught several nice size fish that night. I was in pain pain for a long time but I figured it would go away. The pain dulled I've lived with it ever since and sometimes have a hard time gripping. Fortunately I'm right handed :D

Damn. Is that your FAP hand? Sucks for you.

ACTUALLY.....nerve damage in your FAP hand might not be a bad gig. Since you can't feel, it'd be like a total stranger is giving you an upsie-downsie.

Good luck and my little piece of advice is to plan what things you do everyday and how much harder or impossible to do while you have bandages and splints on your left hand. I have a bunchof things I can't do for the next 10-12 days until my splint and soft cast come off. My elbow is stationary.

Not my FAP hand. It's my catchers mitt. :LOL:

I had that Ulnar surgery in my left arm a few years back. At the time, left pinky was "asleep" for a year. My right pinky would tingle a small amount, thus no surgery for that.

Flash forward 2 yrs. I still have a little tingles in both pinkies (even the left one that was cut on). So, long term the surgery did little help.

I am of the belief that they treated the symptoms not the causation. So I started changing habits. I understand that part of the problem is "stretching" the nerve that is your "funny" bone in your elbow is the main part of the cause. Also, pressure from arm rests right on your funny bone over time doesn't help. I sleep mainly on my back and many times have my arms crossed on my chest (stretching).

I wrapped towels around hard arm rests or any other places where I rest my elbows. I consciously try to sleep with my arms straighter by my sides. Both of those habits seem to keep the tingling at bay.

Case in point: Sometimes I wake up in the night with my pinkies tingling aggressively. Of course, my arms are crossed on my chest. Again, try to keep elbows straighter and by morning, they don't tingle so bad....just by straightening my arms.

I believe I will have this the rest of my life, but manageable with better habits.

I might have to go back and put on elbow braces at night, like when you pull something. I bought a couple at Walmart. When I wear those, it keeps my arms straighter.

My 2 cents.

Maintaining proper posture helps as well. Which probably requires most patients to do some type of back and shoulder strengthening.

Good point. I hadn't thought about that.

If we exercised more, upper body, wouldn't hurt either. Helps keep the range of motion more fluid.

Thanks for the advice and info.

I have had horrible posture and computer usage positioning for the last 35 years. I'm shocked it took this long to occur.

I also sleep on my left side, fetal position with my arms pulled in tight the last 15-20 years, which causes numbness numerous times.

My ulnar nerve was very mobile in my elbow according to my doc, making it easily trapped.

He is confident based on the EMG results and only 4 months total of issues that I have a very high percentage of success.

I have very mild carpal tunnel in my right wrist from incorrectly using a computer mouse. At times my thumb, pointer and middle finger become numb if I use the mouse all day. It also can occur at night when I sleep and curl my hand as I hold it close to my face.

My last nerve issue has been happening in my left trapezoid / neck area from bad sitting position while working. I will start having an intense burning sensation that really hurts like hell from pressure on nerves. I can relieve it by sitting straight up and bringing my elbows far back while puffing out my chest. It takes pressure off my spine.

Holladay, how long did you wait with your symptoms before you got your surgery?

+1 year or more. I kept thinking it would go away but steadily got worse. It was more annoying then anything. It wasn't getting better, but didn't know what was causing it. I feel much more confident now as I explained.

OK - this won't fix all you folks' problems but I'll point you at something you might not have tried - that helps with nerve issues in our hands, shoulders, etc...it's basically swinging a stick or club or hammer around for a while, daily. You wind up moving muscles that otherwise stay 'clenched' up all day/all night, it's cheap, you can do it in your chair in front of the TV if you like (I do) or go out in the yard. I use the mace outside, the clubs anywhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIsi...HxEi-uMbIbQaTI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRXI8xC7J8w&t=65s

Background. The Brits captured India a long while back, and saw all their Indian soldiers using these clubs to keep their back, shoulders and swordarms in shape. The Indians got it from the Persians but we still call it 'indian clubs' because the Brits saw it in India. They use wooden clubs and iron maces (or sledgehammers) to swing, lift and work out - you keep after it, you'll get a lot more nerve work, a lot more blood flow and you might just feel better. I know I've kept my shoulders and forearms bigger and stronger from this stuff. My back stays 'loose', I sleep better. I own a couple of old Indian Clubs, and a few matched sets of framing hammers, rubber mallets, etc...it ain't the arrow it's the indian, so to speak.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlXdqTZYDOU

One or two more for luck: https://factsandphysio.com/ulnar-nerve-exercises/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/art...8043#treatment

Finally - go to Costco drug store area, buy the house brand big jar of fish oil, one of their B vitamins, and one of Alpha lipoic acid. These are big bottles, they'll last you all year - but they aren't free. Just as cheap as I've found 'em anywhere. Helps w/a lot of nerve issues and hey - your heart will be better off. Helped me.

Be well

I’ve had surgery on both right and left elbows for nerve entrapment. My numbness in my pinkies and ring fingers continue even after years of surgery. I wear braces during the day for mild relief of numbness. I would not have surgery again. No relief.

How long had you had the symptoms before surgery?

What did the EMG say about nerve or muscle decomposition?

I think some of our issues begin higher up on the shoulder area if the nerves become tight where the main artery branches off into three different nerve channels.

I’ve had problems for about 20 years. Annoying. Problem was made worse by having an olecranon(sp?) in both elbows. Surgery was to remove the fractures and repair tendon and nerve damage. I’ve learned to live with the numbness.

The last two days have SUCKED!

Sleep is horrible and in little spurts. My Circadian rhythm is all ****ed up.

The cast and splint are putting pain and pinch points in a few areas and numb as hell on my pinky and ring finger.

I never take pain killers and not allowed Tylenol.

Time to hit the alcohol......:doh!:

How the butt wiping working out?

Probably just plan on a shower after every shit at this point.

I was hoping for pics of a freshly hired mighty fine looking paper technician.

Hand held Delta 6 selection shower wand with turbo blast has been my best friend.

Saving a ton on TP.

I really don't remember having a hard time of it. It might be that they did the procedure at the same time I was getting my shattered ankle fixed. Oxy is your friend.

I don't do pain killers. I'm a certified masochist.

I went to the doc's office yesterday morning to have the cast replaced as it was digging into my wrist. New cast much better and Monday I go back to remove stitches. I hope like hell I only have to wear an elbow brace and no cast.

It's day 7 since surgery. Pinky still completely numb and feeling bloated. Bottom of outside of palm burns. Elbow hurts like hell if I get in certain positions. Sleep better but still not great.

Hopefully it heals soon.

Having the stitches out Monday.

Hand hurts and burns around bottom of palm. Hand also got swollen starting Thursday. Hope nothing unordinary when I go back to doc.

CRPS is a known potential side effect of surgery….