Nerve condition in elbow

[Eric-Lewis]

  My dad, 62, has severe pain from elbow to shoulder to neck.  From elbow down the are
  is mildly numb.  Has been to military doctors who describe condition similar
  to carpel tunnel but in nerve in elbow.  He has been on pain medication since
  early December 1998 but has gotten no relief.  He is now on tylenol 3 and takes
  it every 3 hours or so without an measurable relief.  He has never been one
  to allow minor aches and pain to affect his life but I know this is different.
  Is there any relief for this type of condition?  Military doctors seem very
  slow in suggesting any procedure, operation or therapy.  He cannot sleep at
  night, no more than 3-4 hours at a time.  This condition seems to have worsened
  with time.  Any advise?  Please?
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It is not entirely clear what the underlying problem is here, so it is
difficult to suggest treatment and outcome.
It sounds as thought the one nerve is being trapped at the elbow joint
but I cannot work out from your description which nerve is actually
involved.
If the ulnar nerve is trapped at the elbow in this situation there is a
surgical procedure to release it.
If the symptoms are this disabling in someone, to the point of depriving
him of sleep the I would suggest that a surgical approach should be
aggressively explored.
I cannot advise you on how to deal with military beaurocracy, however
he should perhaps begin by asking for a second opinion and if necessary
getting it independently.
This situation cannot be allowed to continue if he is in this much pain.