Ulnar neuropathy/entrapment, cubital tunnel syndrome

[OutbackL130]

Part of my left hand, pinky and ring finger have been numb for 4 weeks after leaning on my elbow for hours. The numbness is all the time whenever I rub or touch something with those fingers or part of that hand. I just thought it was something that would go away soon but I havent noticed much improvement at all. I had it examined by a physical therapist and he said its ulnar neuropathy and to come back in three weeks because permanent muscle wasting can start happening if it doesnt get better by that time. I just dont know what to expect now. Anybody here have this before? Does it ever get better?

 

[Daver1963]

If its been four weeks already you are about 3 weeks past due for going to a doctor to get tests started to get to a specialist. I had a whole arm numb one time and it came down to a pinched nerve, but took a few weeks to get better. Along the way I had tests done that also diagnosed carpel tunnel syndrome. What I have learned along the way is that there are things you do that will aggravate your condition. Barring surgery, the only thing that makes them get better is rest and avoiding what caused the aggravation in the first place.

 

[OutbackL130]

I went to see the physial therapist 2 weeks after the numbness started and the follow up they scheduled will be in another week or so. The difficult part about this injury is I run my own fabrication company and heavy lifting is part of the job. I feel the injury happened from leaning on my elbow while at the computer which is what they say is a common cause of it, so I'm not sure if lifting metal at work is going to make it worse although Im trying to take it easy. The dr said to limit any repetitive movements. I'm definately not leaning on the elbow anymore and have been wearing an elbow brace at night as bending the arm while asleep seems to irritate the nerve.

In the past two days I've started to be able to feel the difference in fabrics and smooth surfaces again. Either I'm getting used to the numbness which is still there or hopefully it's slowly getting better.

So do you think to be on the safe side I should have the EMG done even if it starts feeling better? What kind of tests did they do for you?

 

[newbury]

Did the PT offer exercises?
This could be serious but don't waste time worrying about it if he just recently told you to come back in three weeks.
You don't mention your age but I've definitely noticed my body takes a lot longer to "repair" itself after I do something stupid. I had a rotator cuff injury over a year ago that took almost 8 months to fully heal, but it did.

/edit - just read post #3.
Yeah, blame the computer!
About 20 years ago I moved into an office where I used the mouse, left handed on a desk that was slightly too high. After about two months I started getting chest pains, which I didn't associate with mouse use. After seeing the doc and getting checked out I moved my desk and was fine.

Definitely have the EMG done.

 

[Daver1963]

I had to look up EMG and when I saw it was for nerve conduction tests I knew what it was as that is what they did for me. I guess it would be possible by the results of the test to tell if a nerve is pinched or is the result of a tunnel problem (the word before such as carpel or cubital is for what bone the nerve goes through if my thinking is correct.). It can also determine the extent of damage based on the time it takes for electrical impulses to travel between the test points.

Below is a video explaining the test. I had to chuckle when she said the impulses were "tolerable" but then again the machine in this video is different from the one that tested me. When I was tested the machine looked like a cross between a guitar amp, a tube tester, and something out of "Lost In Space" and that was only about 14 years ago.

Holy cow, did I just say 14 years!!!!

Back on course - there was one time when the technician clicked a dial one too many times by mistake and when she hit the button I thought I was being electrocuted and when her hearing returned to normal after my loud burst of profanity she looked at me and sweetly said, "ooppss, that was one too many. Sorry about that." Its good for a chuckle now, but then it was shocking.

 

[nybirdman]

Carpul tunnel surgery is pretty easy.....I have had both hands done.Just have to take it easy for 6wks or so after.Well worth it.I had put up with it for years until I had the test to confirm.Very minor incision maybe an inch long.

 

[dave1949]

Have you used vibrating tools or equipment much over the years? Chainsaws, trimmers, lawnmowers, power tools, motorcycles, bicycles, etc.

Anymore, just the minor vibration in a steering wheel is enough to make my fingers tingly numb sometimes. I wear gloves with padding to avoid it.

The other day my left pinky was dead white, the ring finger was about half, and I have no idea what brought it on or why it left. I did massage and warm it.

I don't know if or how they are medically related to your diagnosis, but Raynaud's Disease and White Finger Disease give similar symptoms. Even if they are different, you could still be suffering from both in a sort of multiplier effect I suppose.