Hello. I am having similar problems in my left arm. My doctor says that something is wrong with my ulnar nerve. I didn't bump it on anything or have any injury to my hand, arm, elbow or shoulder. Right now I have a pain/pressure sensation slightly in my pinkie and half of my ring finger and when my hand is relaxed my fingers curl, I have to think about it to make them stay straight-even when laying my hand flat. I have carpal tunnel in both of my wrists and wear a brace on my left hand all the time. I was wondering what kind of treatment did you receive for your problems? Do you have any advice for me?
Ok, an update....
My pinkie has begun to curl... if my fingers are relaxed my pinkie is almost in the position as if I were making a fist. I can barely feel anything in my pinkie now. I can tell when something touches it, or brushes against it, because i have a "pain/pressure" sensation. There are also times where I have little strength in the hand and forearm. I have a carpal tunnel wrist splint... that helps a little with the pain in my wrist...but thats all. I try to stay off the computer as much as possible.
Ok, I just did more research and found out why my neck/upper shoulder is hurting.
It is where the nerves branch out from the spine and go down the arm....
Oh, also.... I'm starting to get some pain in my shoulder and neck.
Could be from favoring the arm... dunno
It is starting to get very aggravating.
How would you suggest I splint it?
I have looked online at special splints specifically for this.... and they are $50 - $80...
The tingling has gotten a little worse... and I can barely feel anything now... I feel pressure in my pinky... when I type for instance, and it hurts a little....
My elbow hurts really bad now... almost arthritic like, my forearm is sore too, but more like a muscle ache. I do have arthritis in my knees, ankles and hips (just speculation on the hips) because I am overweight. Also in my right hand, because I am a graphic designer.
Anyways...
any cheep suggestion on how to keep it immobile and still be able to do some work??
Hi,
How are you?
Since you are getting the sensation back into your fingers and arm, it seems to be that the nerve compression is due to soft tissue swelling.
Conservative treatment is usually successful in managing patients with a superficial injury.
One important aspect of conservative treatment is rest to the elbow. Sometimes splinting may be necessary to give rest to the elbow.
If there is no improvement in presenting symptoms even after 6 weeks of conservative treatment and there is rapidly progressing muscle weakness surgery is the only option.
Right now the only option is to wait and watch, and continue with the conservative treatment. Hope this helps!
Hmm.....
I think I pinched my ulnar nerve too.... 4 days ago. I lean on my elbows when I work on my computer. But i think I did something when I leaned on my balcony... cus thats when it started tingling like it fell asleep... and never completely woke up lol.
I have read that keeping your elbow unbent as much as possible will help.... but if it doesn't subside, surgery is the best possible answer. What they will do is move the nerve out of this bony tunnel that it is in, so that it wont get compressed again.
Here is a link I found.
http://www.plasticsurgery4u.com/procedure_folder/cubital_tunnel.html\
I know in your situation its not caused by arthritis or Carpal Tunnel, but is pretty much the same symptoms.
The only reason I know its Carpal Tunnel for me... i had a bad case of it a few weeks prior... so my arm/hand was already pretty irritated.
I hope that link helps :)