I have carpal tunnel and a variety of back issues as well as cubital tunnel syndrome... Do some of you have comorbid disorders as well?

For everyone unfamiliar with the term, "comorbid" means "diagnosed simultaneously."

Brenda on this board had both cubital tunnel syndrome and Guyon's syndrome. I believe I've seen others here who have both cubital and carpal.

wreck wrote:

QUOTE:
I have carpal tunnel and a variety of back issues as well as cubital tunnel syndrome... Do some of you have comorbid disorders as well?

First off, thanks Timm, I learned a new word! I just thought it was a typing booboo!

Wreck,

As Timm correctly stated, I had my Ulnar transposed in my elbow for Cubital, and during the same surgical session, my nerve released and actually moved a bit deeper (a bit of a change on the normal surgery for this) for Guyon's Syndrome. Guyon's is where the Ulnar is trapped or irritated in the palm and wrist. Due to the severity, they also had to release my "A1" pulley's at Palmer's crease below my ring and pinkie fingers as I had progressed to full clawing of those fingers. Additional to that, I had a herniated disk in my C5/C6 that caused all kinds of pains down to my hand from my neck.

The spinal surgery was instantaneous on the pain relief! I still have some numbness in my pinkie, but ever so slowly I am getting feeling back in it. Also with more control, I am able to "on command" cross my middle and index finger - something I was not able to do for almost 2 years.

Thanks for cleearing up the 'comorbid' confusion Timm - I never stop to think that others may not know that the heck I'm talking about. Although, to be honest, you need to watch my typos too - I am really bad at this (especially now that I can't feel anything in my pinky)
Since reading the forums, I've been paying more attention to what I am doing during the day and I can't believe how much i am leaning on my elbow! I have figured out why though - I have a spondylolisthesis that compressed the sciatic nerve that runs down my right leg. I lean over onto my left - umm - cheek to get relief and end up using my elbow to support myself - maybe all I need to do is figure out how to get relief without doing that.
I read about most of you that have pain, but I do not have any pain in my hand or arm - just numbness that has lasted 7 months. Is the numbness something that usually comes and goes dependent upon what you are doing, or is it normal to have it constantly?

wreck wrote:

QUOTE:
I read about most of you that have pain, but I do not have any pain in my hand or arm - just numbness that has lasted 7 months. Is the numbness something that usually comes and goes dependent upon what you are doing, or is it normal to have it constantly?

I didn't have much of the pain others describe in here either Wreck. I did however have 2 super sensitive "funny bones" if you will. If you tapped within 3 inches of my elbow it felt like a "normal person" would feel if they smacked their funny bone on something, the same with the pinkie side of my palm. I had constant numbness from my ring finger to about an inch into my wrist and outward encompassing my hand through the pinkie. The constant funny bone was not fun! No throbs or direct pain, just the electrical zing of la funny bone sensitivity.

Numbness is a sign that either the nerve signal is not getting through (because the nerve is blocked, injured or damaged) or because the nerve is not getting enough blood (such as when you sleep on your arm and wake up with pins & needles as the blood rushes back in).

Short-term numbness can be normal, but 7 months is not short-term. Frequent leaning on your arm/elbow can definitely cause the symptoms you describe. However, if you've stopped leaning on your elbow, but the symptoms persist, you should seriously consider seeing a doctor, as your nerve may have been damaged.

Good luck! If you see a doctor, please stop back and let us know what he/she said.