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New here: changing symptoms? 1 Year, 11 Months ago
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I am brand new here, but I have been having trouble with cubital tunnel since August. I went to an orthopedic surgeon about two months later because I had problems with tennis elbow before, so I figured it was just a recurrence of the previous symptoms. I had a lot of pain in my forearm and elbow region,aching in my fingers, and tingling in my pinky and ring fingers. So, I was scheduled for and EMG and to the surprise of my doctor got a negative result. He gave me a brace and told me he would get me a referral to a specialist, but it's been several months and nothing. Lately the pain hasn't been nearly as bad, and the tingling is rare, but I have a lot of weakness in my hand. I am also getting a lot of "clicking" and the feeling of something being stuck in between the bones of my elbow when I straighten my arm. Does this mean the brace is working, or is this the progression of the syndrome? I am also a flute player and haven't been able to play for quite some time, so any advice on gaining strength and coordination back would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Last Edit: 2010/02/23 15:05 By srr07002.
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Re:New here: changing symptoms? 1 Year, 11 Months ago
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Hello Srr07002 and Welcome to the site! None of us are doctors, but most of us join in the support arena as we (most) have or have had varied issues with the ulnar nerve resulting in Cubital Tunnel - and many with resultant surgery.
Okay, that disclaimer is out of the way. (G) Me talking here..and I've had 5 nerve related surgeries to include 2 spine (more to come). Most times when you have tingles, or pain, the nerve is still fighting to "live" if you will. Once weakness starts coming into the symptoms, the nerve is starting to show possible damage! Have you emphasized to your doctor of the weakness?
Here's some things you can try to see if your intrinsic muscles in your hand are being affected. Ready? Pinching - try picking something soft up and pinch it. Try pinching a snap closed with just your thumb and index, then thumb and middle, and then the last two fingers. How do they compare to your "good" arm? How is your forward (wrist and hand together [try not to use your arm]) twisting strength? Mimic for instance turning the ignition key! Mine got so bad I had to rotate my arm to start the dang car!!! How is your palm down twisting strength for say opening jars? Last but not least, can you cross your index and middle fingers?
I got lucky and got probably 90% of my strength back within 6-8 months after subcutaneous transposition and Guyon's release. On the EMG, who did it? For example, when my C6/7 disk blew, a technician was doing it, and nothing was wrong! I demanded the Neurologist re-do it right there, and wowzer....zeroed right in on that disk level! Just my feelings there. I hope this is of help. If I can help further, please don't hesitate to ask. I don't have all the answers, but I will try to help. Again, welcome to the site!!!! Please keep us posted on how it goes.
Brenda
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Mar 08 ACDF with Instrumentation C5/6
April 08 Subcutaneous Ulnar Transposition, Guyon's Release and claw fingers release
Aug 09 ACDF with Instrumentations C6/7
Oct 09 (new) Degenerative disk disease with Osteophytes C7/T1 Degenerative disk disease C2/3, disk bulge, Osteophytes
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Re:New here: changing symptoms? 1 Year, 11 Months ago
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Hi Brenda! Thanks so much for all of the input. I work as a waitress and I have noticed that I can't pick up heavy things or carry coffee cups as well as I used to with that hand, so my grip is slightly compromised.And I can still cross my middle and index fingers, which I assume is a good thing! The doctor does know about the weakness and he said that he felt a definite change in strength from my last visit, but that hasn't sped anything up. Again thanks for the help and a warm welcome to the site!
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Re:New here: changing symptoms? 1 Year, 11 Months ago
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srr07002 wrote:
Hi Brenda! Thanks so much for all of the input. I work as a waitress and I have noticed that I can't pick up heavy things or carry coffee cups as well as I used to with that hand, so my grip is slightly compromised.And I can still cross my middle and index fingers, which I assume is a good thing! The doctor does know about the weakness and he said that he felt a definite change in strength from my last visit, but that hasn't sped anything up. Again thanks for the help and a warm welcome to the site!
Howdy once again!  Are you in the US? If so, does your insurance allow you to go to a specialist without a referral? I get a booklet every year from my insurance company reference doctors in the plan, and too their specialties. I then go online and check the status of the doctor. "Regular" Google search works well.
Sometimes we have to be our OWN advocate and push to speed things up. Any way you can gently remind your doctor about the referral? Let him know that it is starting to affect your livelihood! Some doctors won't move much if they think you are going about your day to day activities with no problems believe it or not! Please let us know what you decide and how it goes!!!
Brenda
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Mar 08 ACDF with Instrumentation C5/6
April 08 Subcutaneous Ulnar Transposition, Guyon's Release and claw fingers release
Aug 09 ACDF with Instrumentations C6/7
Oct 09 (new) Degenerative disk disease with Osteophytes C7/T1 Degenerative disk disease C2/3, disk bulge, Osteophytes
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Re:New here: changing symptoms? 1 Year, 11 Months ago
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Hi again! I called my doctor a few days ago and it's a good thing I did, apparently they hadn't done anything with the referral yet. And I just had one more quick question...can cold/weather make your arm hurt more? It's been crappy here and my arm has been killing me. Again thanks for all of the help!
srr07002
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Re:New here: changing symptoms? 1 Year, 11 Months ago
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Howdy Srr07002,
I have found that the office staff for a doctor is not always "spot on" to getting your things done if outside their normal "doctor to patient" stuff. It is sad, but common. Glad to see you called back for a status check. Hopefully that call will be the charm.
Weather, many people say that bad (low pressure) weather makes their joints and such feel worse. I would gather that nerves and swollen areas aren't much different. I didn't use to really notice changes myself, but in the last few months when we have had crappy weather (not common in South Florida), I feel internally tired and down, and more sensitive on nerve reaction. So give it till the weather eases up and see. You might have joined the "human barometer" group! (G) I hope you feel better soon. *HUG*
Brenda
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Mar 08 ACDF with Instrumentation C5/6
April 08 Subcutaneous Ulnar Transposition, Guyon's Release and claw fingers release
Aug 09 ACDF with Instrumentations C6/7
Oct 09 (new) Degenerative disk disease with Osteophytes C7/T1 Degenerative disk disease C2/3, disk bulge, Osteophytes
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