Hi, as a new member I thought I'd share what happens wehen you don't act quickly. Having had mild CuTs for a number of years without the need for treatment (as per my GP, and clear NCS and EMG 3 years ago) I thought it would go away.

5 weeks ago, the occasional tingling and pain became constant. I was referrred by my GP to a clinic. They examined and ordered MRI and NCS and EMG. Between now and then I have had the tests and the condition had become total patalysis. Lateral finger movement is impossible. My first interossei is wasting before my eyes (as I can no longer play guitar!).

NCS and EMG tests showed there was no response in the ulnar nerve beyond the elbow. The doctor condiucting the test has told me the nerve fibres must be nearly severed/crushhed completely for this to happen. There are no EMG responses anywhere past my elbow either. I have been told that in these circumstances, recovery after surgery is unlikely and I must now expect some permanent disability.

These results are being passed to my surgeon/consultant, who is back off a weeks holiday next week. I have already been told to expect surgery next week (either decompression or decompression with anterior transposition) sometime next week.

I was wondering, has anyone else been told they have no electical response beyond the elbow, in whihc case how did you get on, and how was it treated?

Also, I guess this might help as a warnign for people who arre wondering whether to bother their GP/physician or not... and has anybody else experienced rapid deterioration like this without suffering difrect trauma to thee nerve or elbow?

Apologies for any poor typing; I'm sure you'll understand why

hi marytn,

i justed wanted to check in and see how you are doing?

did the dr say what the damage looked like to your nerve when he viewed it during surgery?

Cindy

Decompression and anterior tranposition completed a week ago today. Still no movement laterally, or any return feeling in the effected area. Ulnar claw still exists and wasting and atrophy show no signs of improvement.

My surgeon advised to expect the damage to be permanent, the nerve was mangled in a number of areas from the triceps down to the cubital tunnel due to repeat stress/sports trauma when I was younger, excarebated by working a desk job in IT. The sudden onset is apparently very rare; she will be able to tell me more at my next appointment in December (I was still out of it on the GA when she briefed me post-operatively).

Post surgical pain was managed with declofenac, and is a sharp pain in the area of the wound. A more general aching exists in the area of decompression. I can also trace the position of the nerve subcutaciously, by running a finger on the inside of my arm just above the medial epicondyle. Of course it's still very tetchy, and I can produce Tinel's sign on demand over the 3 inches of aggravated transposed nerve.

Stiches come out in a week's time, so I'll know how the wound has healed, though the surical dressing has been changed twice due to post-operative strike through. I've taken the padding and other bandage off already to increase range-of-motion. Physio is painful, and frustrating, especially when putting an elastic band across fingers that cannot move from side to side feels so unrewarding My physio advised to keep trying anyway, it will still send the signal down as far as the conductive block in the elbow, otherwise I might forget how to move my hand! I was advised to do ALL physio in warm water once the stiches are out, to increase blood flow.

Post surgical assessment on 18 December; I'm expecting a new brace of EMG and nerve tests then. I'll post back more in time; I was a silent lurker here for several weeks pre-diagnosis; it helped me to come to terms with my own experience

We must of had the same surgery on the exact same day - I'm one week post op too. My heart goes out to you for having permenant damage. Does your other arm work ok?

Are you going to be able to go back to your IT job or are you looking at disability from here?

Did your dr do anything for the tricep area of entrapment?

I have not been brave enough to 'trace' where my nerve has been moved to. The thought of doing that makes me nauseated (can't spell). Either you have good pain meds or are one strong stomached person.

I hope your recoverry runs smooth Cindy - have you noticed any differences in feeling and sensation post-op?

I work for myself as a tturnaround consultant/interim manager, so giving up work is not an option; having 2 mostly unusable fingers is an issue, but not really a true disability. If I can type and tell people what to do, I'm employable

Yes, the nerve was transposed from the arcade of struthers through to the cubital tunnel.

I've now binned off the pain meds and drive 50 miles for a potential work contract today; yep it still hurts anxd aches, and driving a manually geared car is good fun.

Hello Martyn,

I am starting to feel better. The day after surgery I had full sensation to my 2 fingers again. However, until yesterday I was only exercising by extending the arm and bringing it back to its normal position. I have advanced to extending the arm and doing a mild flexing. When I flex the arm my hand goes numb and stays that way for quite some time (about 8hrs). I don't know if this is part of the healing process or not. I'm still not in physical therapy, hopefully my insurance will get the approval sometime this week. I'm just winging it at home right now.

If you have to type a lot with your job I would recommend voice-activated software (if you don't have it already). I use the software in combination with a foot mouse. I very rarely use my hands for the computer.

I have cubicle tunnel syndrome in both of my arms. My condition is different from yours in that my emg/ncs was negative from the neck to the hand. I had muscle wasting and very little use/strength in my right arm. Similar, but not as severe, in my left. My doctor said maybe the test was inaccurate or possibly that my condition had worsened between the time I had it done in the time I saw him. About 4 months in between the two Dr. visits.

I have my post surgical assessment on December 18th - same as yours. I am expecting full recovery with a 6 month time frame.?.

Is your Dr. okay with you driving? I was told not to drive for another month. Is there any chance you could change your car for one which is an automatic? Is your left arm healthy?

Cindy