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Back and Neck Pain Exchange

What are the best treatments for back and neck pain? Who are the best doctors? ... more

Ulnar Nerve damage. Could use advice

Due to some real life medical problems, I walk with a walker at home. I'm only 32 years old....

Posted by Kailef

Due to some real life medical problems, I walk with a walker at home. I'm only 32 years old. I apparently put too much pressure on my left elbow while walking with the walker.

About 2 months ago, I started feeling pain in my left elbow. About a week later, the pain finally went away.

About 1 month ago, the pain in the elbow came back. Ever since then, the pain has remained in my elbow. On top of that, it has also caused my left pinky finger, left ring finger, and part of the left middle finger completely numb. It's not a numb feeling that goes away as if your hand fell asleep. This is constant numbness I've had for over 4 weeks now, since the pain in my left elbow came back the 2nd time.

I went to my doctor. They got some xrays done. They also gave me a half a dose of a steroid shot in the buttocks.

My doctor also set me up with a nerve conduction study. The person who did the nerve conduction study did find out and confirmed that my ulnar nerve in my left arm, up towards my shoulder and possibly my neck is damaged.

He gave me the 3 basic options to fix it. Rest, therapy, and surgery. I'm meeting with a spine specialist in Louisville in 3 weeks to get a better opinion since my doctor doesn't feel comfortable making the decision.

The problem is, the numbness is so bad that my fingers hurt pretty badly. My doctor gave me some ultracet and flexeril to hopefully help, but it's not helping at all.

I could use some advice. It brings tears trying to trim my pinky fingernail. The numbness is so bad it hurts, and the slightest bump on my pinky causes pain.

Anyone have any advice on how to go about easing the numbness and pain? I've tried Ibuprofen but doesn't seem to help either.

I have to wait 3 weeks to see this spine specialist just to see what option is best for me.

I'm not using the computer much at all. I'm keeping my left arm straight and letting it rest and relax. I'm not using it to lift anything and just trying to let the left arm rest as much as possible.

But I could use some advice on what I could possibly do to ease or even possibly eliminate the numbness....or am I stuck with dealing with the numbness until I see this spine specialist?

I have a bad back, shoulder and neck problems, so that's partly why i'm being sent to this spine specialist.View Thread

Posted byKailef

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Ulnar Nerve damage. Could use advice Due to some real life medical problems, I walk with a walker at home. I'm only 32 years old....

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