Mike,

After surgery I was told that my Ulnar in the Guyon's was way to close to the surface for where it was suppose to be! Hence, if I were right handed especially in my job (constant shooting, and reports on a daily basis via the keyboard, plus hands on), this would have presented a lot earlier in my career. Your Ulnar's home in the canal is normally about 3mm below your palm surface, mine was barely 1mm! If I were right handed, I probably would have permanently damaged that nerve! Part of my job also is that of a helicopter pilot. I am only 5'3" tall, and due to that, I don't rest my right wrist straight but bent while holding the cyclic stick - not conducive to proper alignment and a happy nerve to say the least. I've been flying almost 30 years, but the helicopter we switched to 5 years ago is where my 'bent cyclic' wrist position began (Eurocopter) - Bells, Huey's etc, I flew with my wrist straight. The surgeon did note that there was constriction in my elbow when he went in, but the hand/wrist was too close to the surface and irritated. Hopefully this follow up helps.

Mike,

I haven't heard anything. What is your status? Please don't just drop off the face of the earth as they say. Tomorrow I hit 3 months since my surgeries, and my hand is still sensitive, but still getting better. Update us please.

Guyon's verses Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. The "hand" symptoms are the same. With Guyon's it is localized to the wrist and hand along with the pinkie and 1/2 ring, and most commonly palm. If you are one that rides "hand" impact sports - biking, jet ski etc. then you might abuse your Ulnar nerve in the hand. With Cubital, you are abusing your Ulnar at the elbow. Leaning on your elbow, repetitive impact around the elbow etc. Don't be afraid to discuss with your practitioner *ALL* of your symptoms. Like myself, you might be suffering from both. Or maybe just one location. Make sure that you discuss what you do for a living and more importantly, your HOBBIES!!! EMG testing is not fool proof at all. Many of us are not fully forthcoming with our doctors because *most* doctors focus on our work activities. Tell them all aspects of your lives activities.

By example, I did not have much discomfort in my elbow, but after surgery, he did see that my Ulnar was irritated at my elbow, but more in my wrist and hand. Just food for thought....

I have been watching the Olympics with much interest over the last week or so. I was watching the marathon bike races for the men and the women. I wonder how many of these folks (some of which bike 30 miles a day!!!) have numbness in the pinkie and 1/2 of the ring finger and don't realize the they might be in trouble. Just thoughts there. Remember, Guyons is in the wrist and hand - racer bike riding just SITS on that dang nerve!! Carpel Tunnel is well known and put out to the public, we all need to make sure that Guyones and Cubital is made more public as well. Sorry, had to vent. Thanks for listening.

More and more on this site I am seeing folks that their surgical referral, or surgeon is opting to release not only the elbow, but Guyon's as well. *IF* you opt to do this, know that the hand/wrist will take longer to heal than the elbow (in most cases). By example, I am just past the 4 month mark since mine, and my big fussy is the hand surgery. My elbow is still healing mind you, but only on a "detour" type of aggravation stage. The incision area healed pretty well, and I can crunch and work the scar tissue out, but the tender contacts are still sensitive.

If they only have to "release" your nerve in Guyon's you will heal quicker - me, they had to dig a new home as mine was too close to the surface - different than most surgeries. Let your body tell you when you can do "this and that", don't push it. In my job (law enforcement) I tend to *push* it. I hope this helps.