Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Support Group
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a medical condition in which the median nerve is compressed at the wrist causing symptoms like tingling, numbness, night time wakening, pain, coldness, and sometimes weakness in parts of the hand. CTS is more common in women than it is in men, and has a peak incidence around age 50 (though it can occur in any adult).
Hello!! I have some new questions about an old problem, and I wanted to see if anyone has experienced something similar. My problems are also more related to my ulnar nerve, but I have carpal tunnel as well.
Seven years ago, when I was 16, I was hit by a car traveling at 70 mph while walking home. The side mirror hit me & snapped my left arm clean in half right above my elbow. So, the hospital put a metal plate and some screws in to fix the break. About 3 1/2 years later, I had the titanium plate removed to join the Army. I had some numbness for about a year at this point. Two years later (2011) they finally did the ulnar nerve transposition surgery because this numbness, tingling & pain had been persisting for years (the Army making it worse). So, this surgery really helped, & I found I was again sleeping on my left arm and it really didn't hurt! I still had a tiny bit of numbness in my pinky & side of my hand, and even less in my ring finger. However, here is where it gets weird: I think these same problems have suddenly returned...
For a few nights in a row I woke up with my entire arm completely numb! Freaked out a little bit, since that is how it felt at the worst moments years ago. Also, my fingers have really been bothering me again; I almost can't explain it. It is like they feel 'fuzzy'...maybe like they are a bit more numb. I find myself trying to rub them or tap them together as if to get blood flowing. On the tip of my ring finger there is a really sore spot; it feels as if someone poked me really hard with a needle in this spot & it is very tender. I am a little worried the old ulnar nerve issues are returning.
Sorry for the long explanation, and sorry for posting about the ulnar nerve in a carpal tunnel group; there are no groups for ulnar issues, & there are so many helpful people on here! Plus I have the annoying carpal tunnel as well. If you have any advice please let me know. Thanks!!!
Seven years ago, when I was 16, I was hit by a car traveling at 70 mph while walking home. The side mirror hit me & snapped my left arm clean in half right above my elbow. So, the hospital put a metal plate and some screws in to fix the break. About 3 1/2 years later, I had the titanium plate removed to join the Army. I had some numbness for about a year at this point. Two years later (2011) they finally did the ulnar nerve transposition surgery because this numbness, tingling & pain had been persisting for years (the Army making it worse). So, this surgery really helped, & I found I was again sleeping on my left arm and it really didn't hurt! I still had a tiny bit of numbness in my pinky & side of my hand, and even less in my ring finger. However, here is where it gets weird: I think these same problems have suddenly returned...
For a few nights in a row I woke up with my entire arm completely numb! Freaked out a little bit, since that is how it felt at the worst moments years ago. Also, my fingers have really been bothering me again; I almost can't explain it. It is like they feel 'fuzzy'...maybe like they are a bit more numb. I find myself trying to rub them or tap them together as if to get blood flowing. On the tip of my ring finger there is a really sore spot; it feels as if someone poked me really hard with a needle in this spot & it is very tender. I am a little worried the old ulnar nerve issues are returning.
Sorry for the long explanation, and sorry for posting about the ulnar nerve in a carpal tunnel group; there are no groups for ulnar issues, & there are so many helpful people on here! Plus I have the annoying carpal tunnel as well. If you have any advice please let me know. Thanks!!!
Since you had plates and screws and then had them removed and then had surgery a few years later, there's no telling what damage may be permanent that the doctors didn't warn you about or didn't think would happen. Take care and many thanks for your military service
Here is a 4:00 minute video on You Tube of an EMG and he doesn't move the needle around by instead moves the arm, etc. Just click on the green link and it will take you right to the video. By the way, they do mention diagnosis of Ulnar problems on the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0uSpYd_Ics
First of all-
Thank you very much for your service!
I am not a doctor nor a clinician. My knowledge is based off of hearsay from my own clinicians, and the literature that I've looked through on the topic. I am experiencing a bilateral structural compromise of the elbows. Anterior transposition of my right ulnar nerve is my only remaining treatment option. Right now I'm investigating post-operation complications so determine what course of action should be taken if symptoms persist post-surgery. I'll be sure to rely any information I gather.
In the meantime I feel that it is important to breath a sigh of relief. Those painful needles from the EMG remain at the epidermal layer of the skin; meaning that those needles do not pose any risk to you. For some people the EMG might be a very painful experience, and they clinician may need to slowly move the probes. But I promise this is a very non-invasive test. Please feel free to ask a doctor about the EMG for some small peace of mind.
Do you know what the EMG results are?
I imagine from what you've described we might be talking in the ballpark of
My dictation software hasn't been cooperating and my message was cut off by this website.
As I was saying, with the pain you've described I imagine you might be in the >40ms latency range. I think you should discuss the EMG results with a doctor to determine how to avoid muscle wasting.
Has there been any muscle wasting?
I think, (and this is entirely up to you as a patient), that you should ask for a referral. The neurologist works in the realm of the nervous system. Any given neurologist would find themselves utterly inexperienced with anything beyond their school of thought. Speaking with both a physiatrist and an orthopedist are good options. What you have described is more than nerve damage. You have an experienced a traumatic injury involving bones, muscles, tendons, soft connective tissue; all of which falls under the realm of physiatry. I think physiatrists might be in a far better position to help you and to better understand the nature of the problem.
Best of luck,
I hope you find yourself in a better place.