timm wrote:

QUOTE:


Someday I'll probably regret having pushed myself so long and hard on the computer, but I see the writing on the wall, and want to make the most of the last bit of my career while I can.

Even so, I may bite the bullet and get cubital surgery on my right arm this summer. I'll have to see how busy I am though. There never seems to be a good time to take a month or two off from work!

Timm,

You need to do some research as the longer you put off addressing Cubital Tunnel, the more difficult (or God forbid, impossible) surgical recovery will be. Nerves are pretty hearty, but they too have their limits on how much stress or "trapping" they will put up with before permanent damage occurs. Just a thought. Just by my delaying 7 months, I ended up having 2 finger pulleys cut to release triggering/clawing that developed due to the weakness/numbness. Just my caring two cents....

Brenda

Wow, I never knew there were so many people with this problem... First I want to say I am scared about this whole finger/hand numbness/tingling/arm pain... I like many of you went for the EMG/NCV Thursday 8/7/08... I have ulnar neuropathy/CTS... Too, like many of you my job requires typing, mostly all day long... I work from home full time for an insurance company, I am a Sr. Long Term Disability Case Manager... I feel now that I can "relate" to a lot of my claimants... Problem is, I'm scared to have any type of surgery (I have seen the "bad" stuff paying disability claims and too, my sister had carpal tunnel release and the ulnar release (elbow)surgery and she still has problems)... I am only 49 and still have lots I want to accomplish in life... I don't want to be on disability... I have done this type work all my life so I'm not sure what to do... I go back to the dr 8/20/08 to see what he wants to do... When I was there Friday his P.A. said I will most likely need surgery... Am I jumping the gun? Should I just relax??? Help!!!

Hi debbielynn,

It's normal to feel stressed or anxious about your condition. Any injury that can threaten your career is serious and deserves some intense concern.

But as you may see from many people on this site, surgery often helps, and it's a much better alternative than giving up a good career or losing the use of your arm.

I had ulnar decompression 7 weeks ago and have been off pain medication for two weeks now, the first time in years. I'm sure some of our other members will chime in with their positive surgical experiences.

The important thing is to make sure your doctor is a specialist in arm/nerve surgery and has performed many successful surgeries on cubital tunnel syndrome.

If your condition is severe, you will likely need transposition surgery. But if your condition is only moderate, you might be able to get away with decompression surgery like I had. I was back at work within a week and using my right arm to type in about 3 weeks.

So yes, surgery can often help. Good luck, and please stop back after you visit your doctor on the 20th.

Timm : Debbielynn,

I have a severe case not only in the elbow but as I later found out, my hand (Guyon's) as well. I was only on the pain meds for about a week, and at that, half the prescription I was allowed to take. I have been told over the years that I have a high tolerance for pain. I think part of it is part of my LEO job is in narcotics interdiction, and I have seen how bad that crap can be on the bodies system.

At any rate Debbielynn, I too seriously looked at what disability retirement options I would have, be it not having surgery and my lower arm and hand become useless (yes that can happen), or if the surgery went bad or didn't work. I am one that tries to keep a good attitude about things (very, very important is the attitude). I am not 100% at the almost 4 month mark since transposition surgery, but zillions better than if I didn't have anything done. If you have a knowledgeable surgeon more likely than not you will have some improvement. Fear, yes that is a common amongst all of us - very normal. Please don't let that let your condition deteriorate to the point of no return. Check out all of the forums and you will see what I mean. Like Timm said, there are successes in this membership. Keep a good attitude, get a good doctor and think POSITIVE. We are in your corner.

Correction - HAD a severe case. Sorry about that.

Debbielynn, How did your appt go? I felt like I was reading my "story". I too work for an insurance company handling claims. I am 43 years old. Just lately (a month or so) my pinky (rte hand- rte hand dominant) has become numb as well as the top half of the ring finger. My EMG is on Friday (8/29). I just reported this to our health services people. I'm so worried that they will try to say that this isn't work related. But I don't do anything else! ~ anyone else have problems with w/c. I also had bilateral carpal tunnel release surgery about 5 years ago.

I read a case from Arkansas where they denied a woman, stating that the condition could not have been caused by her job (because of a lack of "rapid" movement)

I hope I'm not jumping the gun, since I haven't been dx'ed yet..... but this is very worrisome. thanks.