I was glad to find this site. I had NCS done 2 weeks ago that confirmed ulnar nerve compression at elbow. They said it was mild.

I started with symptoms (numbness & klutzy-dropping things) about 6 mos. ago. I see the orthopedic doc that ordered NCS tomorrow. So far I've used anti-inflammatory meds and am trying some glide exercises.

I'm just wondering if it doesn't get better, if surgery will be necessary. I've read somewhere that if you wait too long for surgery the surgery is less likely to be successful.

Thanks in advance for any imput.

TXGrama8 wrote:
I was glad to find this site. I had NCS done 2 weeks ago that confirmed ulnar nerve compression at elbow. They said it was mild.

I started with symptoms (numbness & klutzy-dropping things) about 6 mos. ago. I see the orthopedic doc that ordered NCS tomorrow. So far I've used anti-inflammatory meds and am trying some glide exercises.

I'm just wondering if it doesn't get better, if surgery will be necessary. I've read somewhere that if you wait too long for surgery the surgery is less likely to be successful.

Thanks in advance for any imput.

Howdy TX, and Welcome to the Site!!!

I guess the answer would be "it depends." If the nerve is compressed many times taking the stress off of it after time, some or all of your symptoms are relieved.

Before my surgery, mine got to the point I could not "cross" my index and ring finger, and opening jars (and even the darn milk!) was almost impossible; just to start my car, I had to "roll" my arm to turn the key! Yeah and it can get worse. As the compression effects continue, the "intrinsic" (small but important supportive) muscles of your hand start to waste (wasting can sometimes be irreversible by the way). I am not a doctor, nor a specialist in nerve issues, I am going on my multiple "nerve" related surgeries. Nerves are really neat, but to some degree if you "hurt" them, they stay hurt. There is a LOT of truth on "waiting" can cause permanent damage. If there is impact or trauma, the damage can be instant (I have that now due to a disk hernia at my C6/7 level) - it basically ended my career after I yawned and the herniated portion of the disk hit the nerve root. Just that "smack" did it. You might still be on the "can fix" side of the house TX.

Let us know how your tests go. Please don't delay treatment if you can. Take care!!!

Brenda

Thanks for your imput Brenda.

I saw the doc on Thursday and we are going to take a conservative approach. I don't have any pain just numbness/tingling. I'll be seeing my physical therapist to see if I'm doing glide excercises correctly. So as long as this doesn't get worse (keeping my fingers crosses) with more numbness or pain, we'll put off surgery.

I know what you mean about the back nerve damage. I had severe leg nerve pain in May-but no one can ever figure where it's coming from other than it's usually L3-last time was 5 years ago on opposite side. This latest episode took an epidural, 3 rounds of oral steroids, and physical therapy to get rid pain at a 10. I battle tronchanter & back pain and may finally go see a pain management doc, too.

But if I start getting any nerve pain from the cubital tunnel syndrome or sudden complete numbness I will run not walk to my nearest hand surgeon!!

Thanks again

You Said in your 1st message:

"" I started with symptoms (numbness & klutzy-dropping things) about 6 mos. ago. """

If you've reached the stage of "dropping things"
then you need another doctors opinion
Because weakness causes you to be dropping things, and that is a sign of serious nerve damage! ! !

Surgeons do NOT do surgery until you have Numbness + dropping things

I'd get another opinion if you are dropping things + have numbness
Because in your case, at the point that you sound like you're at, I'm afraid you will NOT get any better until the problem is corrected

Plus there is NO exercise that cures Cubital tunnel because most of us have tried that at home, on our own.




TXGrama8 wrote:

I saw the doc on Thursday and we are going to take a conservative approach.

PB, i think the use of absolutes is a little extreme here.

TX, Yes your problem will probably not get better until you do something to correct it. Typically the people posting on message boards are the ones that have the severe cases. The people that have their fingers go numb so they stop golfing for a week and get better never think about it again dont usually come here.

There are many people that do recover using conservative measures- Any surgery is a major surgery when its done on you, and even if you get surgery there is no garuntee that is will work- its always possible things could even get worse, so i would give conservative treatment a fair shake (anti inflams, elbow splints, stretches, etc) before going under the knife. The flip side is that the longer your nerve is compressed or irritated the more damage is being done and the chances of a full recovery get worse. This is was makes this problem so frusterating

pmb003 wrote:

Surgeons do NOT do surgery until you have Numbness + dropping things

I'm afraid you will NOT get any better until the problem is corrected

Plus there is NO exercise that cures Cubital tunnel because most of us have tried that at home, on our own.




TXGrama8 wrote:

I saw the doc on Thursday and we are going to take a conservative approach.