Cubital tunnel syndrome

[Zuras]

Anyone know how long conservative treatment should be before considering it a failure?

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[Tenesma]

motor dysfunction

 

[Zuras]

motor dysfunction

??

 

[Tenesma]

when there is motor dysfunction or significant pain related issues - conservative treatment is a failure.

 

[Zuras]

when there is motor dysfunction or significant pain related issues - conservative treatment is a failure.

Oh, I see. Thanks for the responses. I was sort of wondering what time frame should be expected. Basically, after someone is diagnosed with having the condition, about how long will it take the nerve to heal of its own accord and go back to normal functionif it's going to do so?

My doctor said I probably wouldn't have to have surgery, but that I should come back in if I decided that might be needed. He recommended standard conservative treatment. It has been slightly over a month and there is no motor dysfunction at in the hand/forearm. No weakness/numbess/loss of cordination anywhere. Additionally, as long as I keep from flexing my arm very much, my elbow doesn't really hurt at all. It only hurts, and only minorly, when I try to flex it more than 35-40 degrees or so. I was just wondering if I should wait longer before going back in to the doctor or what. If so, about how long?

 

[SOUNDMAN]

well could always have EMG's done to make sure it's cubital tunnel syndrome. That would normally be the next step. A few things can cause medial elbow pain and unfortunately some can mimic others. EMG's would be one way to objectively perceive injury to the nerve.

 

[Tenesma]

I was about to say--- how sure are you that you have cubital tunnel syndrome, cause your symptoms aren't very classical.

 

[Zuras]

I was about to say--- how sure are you that you have cubital tunnel syndrome, cause your symptoms aren't very classical.

I guess I can explain what happened.

I have this habit of leaning my head on my hands,with my elbows on the computer desk (~100 degree angle) when I'm reading something on the internet. One night I noticed my hand getting a little numb, but I've had my hands fall asleep before when in that same position, so I just switched the arm I was leaning on. However, by the time night came, my pinky and ring finger were extremely numb in the hand that had "fallen asleep", as was that whole side of my hand that is below those fingers. The next morning I thought it would be gone, but it was still just as bad as the night before. The next 2-3 days the numbness slowly went away, but it began to be replaced by slight but significant swelling in the hand/fingers and a very slight dull ache below the elbow.

I happened to run into a university physician at the store and I informed her of the entire situation, and she had said it's highly likely to be cubital tunnel syndrome, and she recommended ibuprofen for the swelling and to keep my arm flexed no more then 25 degrees as much as possible. Then she just said if the symptoms don't go away, you may need to have surgery and to come in to see her then. No time frame, though.

 

[CubitalThinker]

There is no set answer to how long you should treat cubital tunnel syndrome conservatively before resorting to surgery. Because cubital tunnel surgery has a recovery time of 4-8 weeks and is not 100% successful, conservative treatment is definitely recommended before surgery. On the other hand, nerve damage can become permanent, so if cubital tunnel problems persist, you should seek surgery before you permanently damage the ulnar nerve and lose use of your ring and little fingers. Definitely consult with a hand specialist or surgeon either way. They can help guide you as to when to seek surgery.

 

[VincentAdultman]

Oh, I see. Thanks for the responses. I was sort of wondering what time frame should be expected. Basically, after someone is diagnosed with having the condition, about how long will it take the nerve to heal of its own accord and go back to normal functionif it's going to do so?

My doctor said I probably wouldn't have to have surgery, but that I should come back in if I decided that might be needed. He recommended standard conservative treatment. It has been slightly over a month and there is no motor dysfunction at in the hand/forearm. No weakness/numbess/loss of cordination anywhere. Additionally, as long as I keep from flexing my arm very much, my elbow doesn't really hurt at all. It only hurts, and only minorly, when I try to flex it more than 35-40 degrees or so. I was just wondering if I should wait longer before going back in to the doctor or what. If so, about how long?

250 posts and you still don't grasp the "no asking for medical advice on sdn" rule eh?

 

[Ashers]

250 posts and you still don't grasp the "no asking for medical advice on sdn" rule eh?

I want to know why this post was dragged out from August 2005. The OP's probably obtained proper medical advice by now.