My name is Kristin and recently have been diagnosed with what the doc called ulnar nerve entrapment in my left arm. I am guessing this is the same thing based on the symptoms. Main ones tingling, loss of grip and heart stopping shocks up my arm. I currently have been wearing a splint at night but does not seem to help - well for about the first five minutes when I first get up are ok. I currently am an administrative assistant at an advertising agency and am going to school at night for a Digital Media degree. So I also do graphic design work which means I am on the computer all the time. I am so worried that this is going to derail my new career plans. Reading articles on the net have not helped me fears only helped exacerbate them. Now my right hand is starting to have the shooting pains and tingling. Any wise words from those who have already been in my shoes?

Hey Kristen,

Welcome! I think you'll find that this site can provide a font of information and help alleviate some of your fears. Who diagnosed your ulnar nerve entrapment? If you haven't seen a hand surgeon, that would probably be my next stop. Have you had EMG/NCV? I think most docs find that this would be the next stop for most docs. Even though my EMG/NCV were within normal limits despite severe compression, most docs won't procede to any kind of surgical treatment without exploring conservative measures first, especially in the absence of obvious trauma to the elbow.

As a bilateral CuTS sufferer post bilateral sub-muscular transpositions, know that it can get better. I've recovered about 90% function in my left hand (9.5 months post-op) and maybe 50-60% in my right (almost 4 months out). I have a few underlying medical conditions and so I think my recovery time has been a little slower than the typical person so don't let my recovery time discourage you.

Take care and hang in thete.

Chris

Chris,
Thank you for the words of encouragement. I was diagnosed by a hand surgeon. Ironically I went because of pain/tingling in my hand and wrist. Never in a million years did I think it was my elbow. I have not had an EMG/NCV yet. Next week is my second appt. Although I have been wearing my splint at night it seems my clumsiness and grip have gotten worse. It is good to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. How long from the time you were diagnosed to the time surgery was decided? I have a list of questions for the doctor a mile long.
Thanks again,
Kristin

Kristin,

Let's see....I pulled out my notes from my early appts with my doc. Symptoms started in my left ring & little fingers and a little bit of my middle finger as well. My initial visit was on Oct 1, 08. I was dx'd with CuTS and tennis elbow at that time. I went for follow up 8 weeks later and was sent for EMG/NCV which came back normal. Followed up again in 8 weeks then scheduled decompression for 3/31/09. It's kind of funny now but my doc admits he sort of blew me off because of my normal nerve studies. When he did the surgery the nerve was "very significantly compressed". I improved and was feeling 80-90% better about 10 weeks after surgery. Then I had an injury to the op site at about 11 weeks out. That was about 14 months ago and now after bilateral sub-muscular transpositions, I am slowly but steadily making progress.

I work in healthcare and have learned that when you go to medical appts, it's a good idea to take a list of questions and take notes. If you have someone available to go to your appt with you, it's always good to have a 2nd set of ears.

Hope this helps a bit. Take care and hope to hear from you after your appt next week.

Chris

Kristin,

From what I have learned about the splint use is this: the splint may be corrective if your symptoms are caused by your sleep habits. My bilateral Cubital/Carpal is from repetitive stress/motion caused by my job - the splint did nothing for me at all.

Secondly, yes this whole process is very scary - I waited as long as I could after being diagnosed to file my claim at work; now I am facing the workers comp nightmare not to mention what happens during/after all my surgeries.

The good thing is -you are not alone in your worries! This forum is filled with people like you and I that are facing what can amount to be "life changing" surgeries - I plan to lean on them and I suggest you do as well! We will all get through our respective challenges, but, we cannot do it alone. Kind thoughts and words go along way in any type of recovery.

Take care,

See ya around here!

Keenan

Keenan,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I have done a lot of reading and found out I had several different bad habits that have caused this. Sleeping all curled up is one of them so it has helped a bit when I first get up. As for the rest of it I am doing my best to be observant and change them.

I have found that others so do not understand the pain,frustration and fear I am feeling. That is why I am so happy to find this site.

How long have you been dealing with all of this? Also have you had any of your surgeries yet?
Thanks again,
Kristin