I am currently being treated for Ulnar Nerve Compression in my left elbow. I've had the nerve conduction tests and EMG. They said I have the beginnings of denervation?? I have numbness and weakness in my hand and at times really sharp pains throughout my arm and shoulder. I was sent to a Rehab center to see if physical therapy or steroid shots would help. The doctor told me phys ther would not help and gave me the injection which he said he also doubted would do anything. He said the only alternative is nerve transposition therapy. Its been 2 weeks since I had the shot and have seen no improvement. You guys seem to have a lot of knowledge about this, in your opinion is surgery my only other option? Any help or advice is appreciated.

Hi Crystal,

Sorry to hear about your elbow problems. Denervation means loss of nerve supply, i.e., the signals are not getting through.

Conservative treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome is recommended before surgery. This can include wearing a splint at night to keep your elbow from bending too far, wearing a brace during the day, stopping or changing the activities that cause you pain, taking Advil or prescription NSAIDs for pain, etc.

But if treatment does not work, surgery may be necessary, especially if the nerve is starting to become damaged. You do not want your ulnar nerve to become permanently damaged, as this cause your hand to atrophy.

There seems to be evidence that steroid shots do not work for cubital tunnel syndrome, so you might avoid those.

As for which type of surgery to get, decompression surgery is a better choice for mild-to-moderate cases if no prior surgery. Recovery time is just a few days to a week.

Transposition surgery moves the nerve out of the cubital tunnel and therefore is more intrusive. Recovery is usually measured in weeks or months. Transposition is appropriate for severe cases of cubital tunnel syndrome or for repeated surgery.

You should explore both options with your surgeon. Don't allow the extreme pain to continue for long. Surgery can help. Get a second opinion if you have any doubts.

Good luck, and please stop back and let us know how you are doing.

(not a doctor, just what I heard and experienced)

Shots usually don't work with nerve problems. Better for ligaments, tendons and muscles. Exception: if shooting ligament to reduce pressure on nerve. But one of my doctors told me it's really tough to target.

Thank you for your suggestions. I go back to the Rehab doc on Tuesday on which I will get referred to a surgeon. This is a great site to come to. It's nice to be able to read what other people have experienced so you know what to expect and if its normal. I had been trying to research this for awhile. I'm glad I found you guys!

Crystal wrote:
I am currently being treated for Ulnar Nerve Compression in my left elbow. I've had the nerve conduction tests and EMG. They said I have the beginnings of denervation?? I have numbness and weakness in my hand and at times really sharp pains throughout my arm and shoulder. I was sent to a Rehab center to see if physical therapy or steroid shots would help. The doctor told me phys ther would not help and gave me the injection which he said he also doubted would do anything. He said the only alternative is nerve transposition therapy. Its been 2 weeks since I had the shot and have seen no improvement. You guys seem to have a lot of knowledge about this, in your opinion is surgery my only other option? Any help or advice is appreciated.

I am a bit surprised with the arm and shoulder that they didn't have you get an MRI to cancel out the neck? I had pain in the right side of my neck, shoulder (almost felt like I tore the rotor cuff to give you an idea) - most times that is a cervical issue to start. I ended up with both the neck and elbow/wrist. Cubital is the elbow and below most times. Just food for thought. Above the elbow, MRI... I hope you are getting better answers. Take care.

I had a uler nerve transposion done on right elbow my surgeon said i had bone spurs that he cant do anything abvout so I went to a pain amnagement doctor and I now reflex Sympatheic Dystrophy syndrome and also the nerve damge into neck down the arm I am scheduled for mri of the neck some of these doctors surgeans dont know what their doing atleast this one put me on nerve medicine and pain m medicine...... lori