NCT/EMG Ulnar Nerve Entrapment

[Bummer Knees]

I had the above test a a hospital in Wichita this morning with the results being; carpal tunnel of the dominant hand and ulnar nerve entrapment of the elbow.

I see my primary doctor in a week and the results of the test and a letter from the doctor will be used at a hearing my attorney has scheduled.

Ulnar nerve entrapment is new to me and the neurologist said it is likely linked to use of the cane.

Does anyone have any experience with Ulnar Nerve Entrapment?

[Still in Limbo]

I'm Sorry Bummer, I have no Knowledge of the Wrist and Elbow, but I have Used a Cane for about 4 Years now, and I know how it can Make Your Arm Feel!! Hopefully Your Dr., or Someone on Here can give You More Info., and I Agree that You should Add it to Your Claim, especially the Way They have Treated You Lately!! My Very best, and Please Keep Us Informed!!

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Neurosurgeons, among other surgical specialists, treat these entrapment neuropathies, which can account for 10-20% of the practice’s cases. Orthopedic and plastic surgeons also perform these types of surgery.


http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/249784-overview

[Bummer Knees]

Thank you Bad Boy & Still In Limbo

I do believe the adjuster & attorney are going to like me even less for this.

Been looking for "worthy" web sites about treatment options for ulnar nerve entrapment.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Non-surgical Treatment Options


Keep the elbow as straight as possible. A straight elbow puts less pressure on the ulnar nerve.
Avoid crossing your arms across your chest.
If you frequently use the telephone, consider using a headset or cradle attachment, so you don’t have to hold the telephone to your ear with a bent elbow.
Adjust your workspace so that you don’t have to bend your elbow more than 30 degrees and you can keep your wrist in a neutral position.
Consider wearing a splint at night. Something as simple as a towel wrapped around the elbow can help keep it straight.
Use elbow protectors if you play sports to avoid bumping the elbow.
If muscle atrophy and numbness continues, corticosteroids may be used to reduce swelling and pressure.

Rehabilitation exercises
The exercises below increase the strength of the forearm muscles. They should be performed to the point of initial pain only. You may increase resistance only when the exercise can be performed with no pain, for the designated number of repetitions.


Wrist extensor
Sit next to a table with the injured forearm on the table surface with the wrist at the end of the table and the palm down. Hold a two- or three-pound dumbbell in the injured-side hand and raise it as high as pain permits or until the back of the hand is level with the table top. Hold this position for 5 seconds. Relax the arm and hand for 10 seconds. Perform this sequence 10 times, 3 times daily. Increase the range of the exercise motion as pain permits until the back of the hand is level with the table top at each repetition. When this is possible, increase the amount of resistance by one-half pound.


Wrist flexor
Sit next to a table with the injured forearm on the table surface with the wrist at the end of the table and the palm up. Hold a two- or three-pound dumbbell in the hand and raise it as high as pain permits or until the weight is level with the tabletop. Hold this position for 5 seconds. Relax the arm and hand for 10 seconds. Perform this sequence 10 times, 3 times daily. Increase the range of motion as pain permits until the weight is level with the tabletop at each repetition. When this is possible, increase the amount of resistance by one-half pound.


Wrist extensor
Assume a hands-and-knees position, with the back of the hands on the floor and fingers pointed toward the knees. Slowly rock forward, placing weight on the hands and wrists to the onset of pain. Hold this position for 5 seconds. Rock backward, relieving the wrists and hands of the body weight, and relax for 10 seconds. Perform this sequence 10 times, 3 times daily. As pain permits, increase the amount of weight transferred to the hands and wrists.


Wrist flexor
Assume a hands-and-knees posture, with palms on the floor and fingers pointing forward. Slowly rock forward, placing weight on the hands and wrists until the onset of pain. Hold this position for 5 seconds. Rock backward, relieving the wrists and hands of the body weight, and relax for 10 seconds. Perform this sequence 10 times, 3 times daily. As pain permits, increase the amount of weight transferred to the hands and wrists.

Alternative exercises
During the period when normal training should be avoided, alternative exercises may be used. These activities should not require any actions that create or intensify pain at the site of injury. They include:

swimming
jogging
stationary bicycle (without pressure on the handlebars, if pain permits)

How long will the effects of the injury last?
Recovery time from ulnar nerve entrapment varies. Usually, return to full activity depends on how long it takes for the inflammation of the ulnar nerve to remit. In most cases, with appropriate treatment and avoidance of the activity that caused the condition, inflammation and pain disappear within two to four weeks. However, some severe cases may last eight weeks and longer.

http://www.mendelsonortho.com/body/ulnarnerver.html

[Bummer Knees]

Thank you Bad Boy for the information.

I have been having the symptoms for some time and thought it was just the carpal tunnel.

Been reading what you posted and it sounds as if there are things to do to prevent surgery.

The hard part about this is dealing with the severe burning that goes up the arm and this happens with any activity/arm. Soaking the arm is cold water does not help!

[Bummer Knees]

Just thought I would share a little more of what happened at the appointment Friday.

When I had the test Friday the screen of the monitor looked like a tv off channel with lots of static. The neurologist would have me place me hands on top of his and push down then the lines would show on the monitor.
Had to do this much of the test.

When the test was over the doctor told me splinting and injections would be the course of treatment for the carpal tunnel. I've already tried both; the splints sometimes helps when the burning starts. The orthopedic tried the injection and had problems with the needle going in, I also was unable to tolerate the pain with the injection so the needle was removed and no injection.

The neurologist didn't give me any information of the course of treatment for the ulnar nerve entrapment.

[hurt at work]

Best of luck hope they can work this out.

[Bummer Knees]

Thanks Hurt

I see the doctor tomorrow for something else but wil see if he has the NCT/EMG result from the neurologist.