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.
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.
Originally Posted by Holladay:
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. [Reply]
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? [Reply]
+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. [Reply]
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.
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.
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.
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. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BlackHelicopters:
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. [Reply]
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. [Reply]
