 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-09-29 17:02
I fell in july and I guess I messed up the ulner nerve grrrrrr. The pinky and the finger next to the pinky are numb. Going to the doctor today. Last week I had tests and I guess there is a pinched area in the elbow.
Question, has anyone been through this and how did you make out after the surgery? If it matters, it's the right hand digits. Also the forearm is uncomfortable to the point in which I have trouble sleeping. This is new, this week, so I guess it may be getting worse. I'm bringing my horns with me so the doctor can see what these 2 digits do.
Any doctors out there?
As always,
Thanks folks.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-09-29 18:59
Bob, there are some actual physicians that occasionally post on this forum, I think if you do a search under something like "carpal tunnel" or "wrist" or "tendinitis" you might find some threads in which they posted --- then you could perhaps contact them directly for advice. Just in case they don't see your current post.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2011-09-29 20:16
It will be interesting to see what the doctor says about it. Since you can trace the problem to a specific accident, it may not be anything more chronic. Was the test an EMG?
I have had exactly the same symptoms *along with* pain next to my right shoulder blade, and mine has been diagnosed (through an EMG and an MRI) as a pinched nerve root in my neck (caused by spinal arthritis) - the one that the ulnar nerve comes out of. An epidural steroid injection has eliminated the pain that kept me from sleeping and almost all of the tingling in my two fingers without surgery.
Is surgery the only treatment the doctor has suggested? If the pinch is because the nerve itself is swollen as a result of the injury, cortisone (or similar steroid medication) injected into the area might reduce the swelling and avoid the need for surgery.
Strong disclaimer - I am not a doctor or a health care professional of any kind. There's lots I don't know about how all of this operates, and there may be structural damage in the elbow that makes surgery the only option. If there's a non-surgical treatment available, I suspect the doctor will be the first to suggest it.
I'd be interested myself in any qualified medical insight into this, since for me this problem is chronic and is likely to recur periodically.
Good luck,
Karl
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Author: Chris J
Date: 2011-09-29 21:46
So when you bang your "funny bone" - it is the area of the elbow where the ulnar nerve is most vulnerable to trauma. Put your arm out with the palm upwards. Put your other hand's finger on the elbow of the outstretched hand. Bring your finger in towards the body side of the elbow and you immediately hit a dip. If you poke around in there you will eventually get a tingle in your little finger, and the half of the ring finger closest to the ring finger. You are irritating the ulnar nerve.
Inflammation of the ulnar nerve can just settle with time, and it might be worth giving it 3 months to do that before you go for more active intervention. If it does not settle, then a steroid injection into the area may help, or a surgeon may operate to release any pressure on the nerve that may have formed from scar tissue from the trauma.
The doctor you see will also consider the possibility that it is not the ulnar nerve that is the cause of the problem, and make sure it is not a nerve from your neck causing the symptoms.
Chris
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-09-29 21:52
Yes, we'll have to wait and see if a doctor pops in.
I just got back from the doctor and of course they can't promise anything. I guess they move the nerve somehow in the elbow. I brought the clarinet in so he could understand the issues.
The doctor asked me to play something. Funny guy. All of the patients covered their ears, along with him. Wonder if I need some practice? lol
Mr. Bill , I did stop by a pawn shop and bought a trombone!!!Which end do I blow into?
Dr.Chris, I had a nerve conduction test done and the block is for sure in the elbow. It is getting a bit worse because I can't sleep very well. Tomorrow I'm gonna get a steroid shot to bring the swelling down. Something called Decidron; not sure if I spelled that correctly, most likely not. Lets hope it works. I tried your trick. I had no idea the funny bone was the nerve. And yes I felt that area, made the 2 digits on the right hand tingle.
KTK I'm so glad you can play after your shot. Hopefully it will work for me too. I would think you were pretty upset, wondering if you needed neck work.
OH, I think the test I had was the EMG or something like that. The doctor put these probes on my arm and the hand would jump, Not a pleasen't experience as it hurts a bit. The human body is really amazing.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2011-09-29 22:27)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-09-29 22:55
After surgery, invest in a Quodlibet Fhred support as this will take the weight off your right arm (which will help your recovery) and also allow good posture and plenty of movement while playing seated.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2011-09-29 22:55)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-09-30 00:05
You'll find a number of postings here and on Klarinet, but the search function is demanding about correct spelling. Try ULNAR, with an A.
Ken Shaw
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Author: David Niethamer
Date: 2011-09-30 02:21
I'd consult a physical therapist who specializes in upper extremity work - hands, arms, neck. I did this for a somewhat similar problem, and got relief over the long term after years of pain and finger problems - saved my playing career.
At the time, a neurologist who evaluated me told me re: surgery - "there are three possibilities 1.) nothing might change, 2.) your condition could worsen, or 3.) it MIGHT improve."
Before surgery, I'd exhaust all the other possibilities for treatment.
my $0.02, and no, I am not a medical professional.
David
David
niethamer@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/index.html
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-09-30 07:11
Thank you for the tip on Quodlibet Fhred. I'm gonna order one, for sure if I have the surgery or not. Pretty cool designs to get thepressure off.
Tomorrow I will get the injection. If it works I will most likely delay the surgery and have some injections as needed. I know there is a limit regard the number of shots per year.
Thank you folks for all of your information. This really gives me somethings to look into and find the safest treatments to start with.
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Author: Benjamin
Date: 2011-10-01 08:40
I had surgery a couple years ago for this and it made a HUGE improvement. I looked into all other possibilities first, though, and it was the right choice for me. Email me privately if you want more info.
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