What Happens When You Ignore Cubital Tunnel

[@josephinegrimes-roberson6971]

Wonderful explanation of this problem. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I will totally be taking your advice.

[@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami]

Aww thank you. Glad you found it useful.

[@timstember8354]

I hope I haven't waited too long trying to self-treat. I'm emailing my doctor by email tonight. Thanks for the warning

[@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami]

Thanks for watching. It’s okay to try the self treatment way…as long as know when to look for help. That’s the most important aspect and why I’m sharing as much as I can.

[@Carol-bk1ro]

Great explanation, thank you!

[@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lynnwoodcarter3486]

Hey im going tgrough this its nothing the doctors do but injections acupuncture

[@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami]

Sorry to hear that. Find a great hand therapist who can help. If you are in miami we can help!

[@Shallowworld9236]

Things to avoid at initial stage???

[@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami]

Thank you for the suggestion. We shall try to create something in the future.

[@lindalama1737]

Thank you so much. I have numbness in my pinky and ring finger since April. I went to a hand specialist who said therapy won’t help. Needless to say I’m going next week to another doctor up at Hospital for Special Surgery in NY. I had an emg done which didn’t show cubital tunnel but I have all of the symptoms. I’m hoping this new doctor can help me. Is this something you’ve seen before with a normal emg but all the signs of cubital tunnel?

[@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami]

I tell my patients/students all the time that nerves are completely different from bones and tendons. Emg don’t always see everything. Nerve tension is something that is felt. And nerves are always injured/stuck above where the problem is felt. Therapy can help when you go to the right therapist. Good luck with the doctor’s visit. If you need help, our clinic website is in the links.

[@playinatlife5778]

Once muscle wasting starts, how fast does it progress? Weeks, months, or years? I get that sooner is better, but can the surgery be put off a few months without much additional loss of function, or should it be done at first available opportunity?

[@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami]

Atrophy or muscle wasting always depends on the mechanism of injury, the severity, and length of the problem. So it’s too vague to give a definitive answer like the one you are looking for. Your question is best answered by the surgeon who you have picked to go to or your trusted occupational/hand therapist who may have treated you before the surgery and who you may consider to go to after. We are located in Miami, FL if you are local or consultations as you need.

[@playinatlife5778]

@@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami Thanks for the thoughtful response. I saw the hand surgeon for carpal tunnel in one hand only to find out I needed surgery in both arms - carpal tunnel in one, ulnar release in the other. I was too shocked to ask the right questions! I never thought much about the mild numbness in one pinky, and hadn't noticed the muscle atrophy in that hand until he pointed it out to me. Just thought it was a natural consequence of aging! I'm on the other side of the country, but I hope I can find a hand therapist as thoughtful and caring as you in my area. Thanks again for the reply.

[@paulabillanes5084]

I had surgery on my left side and it made me worse. I decided not to do the right side.

[@playinatlife5778]

@@paulabillanes5084 I'm so sorry your results were less than you expected. Don't give up! Just a thought...check U.S. News and World Report's annual list of top rated doctors to see if there's a top rated hand surgeon in your area. It won't hurt to get another consult. Good luck!

[@playinatlife5778]

Just to follow up - It's been more than 6 months since both surgeries. I still have numbness on the cubital tunnel side, but the Dr. told me beforehand not to expect much improvement until the nerve regenerates which should take 18-24 months. The carpal tunnel surgery was an amazing success and I have had no numbness since surgery.

[@kevinkiernanoutdoors3413]

My whole hand becomes numb fro time to time.

[@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami]

That’s not good. Get that fixed before it’s numb all the time.

[@thriftyniken]

My husband has cubital tunnel AND carpal tunnel surgery almost two weeks ago. He had a bit of claw deformity in his ring finger before surgery that is still an issue now. He also has some tremors with some purposeful movements. This was happening before surgery and now (almost two weeks post surgery) is still occasionally happening. For example when using his hand to hold a fork or picking up a cup, he will sometimes tremor. Can he expect any resolution of this issue in the coming months? Or in your experience do you think this will require an additional surgery? Or maybe that issue will just persist? He’s “okay” with the claw deformity, but he’s struggling with having tremors with purposeful movement. 😞 He’s still working and needs his hands. Plus he’s embarrassed when others notice the tremors.

[@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami]

Everyone’s symptoms are so different, length of time, and recovery. It’s important to discuss the case with a trusted Occupational therapist or certified hand therapist. But I do hope he’s going for therapy.

[@thriftyniken]

He just started therapy today with an OT certified in Hand Therapy, so I feel he will get the best care. Time and exercises will tell I guess.

[@CRYSP45]

Does muscle atrophy cause muscle spasms? I went to dr when I started getting bad muscle cramps just found out today via EMG I got this. I can't hardly cook or use my muscles without it spasaming

[@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami]

Muscles can spasm for various reasons but one reason is because the muscles weak and it’s trying so hard. The other reason can be due to nerve tension. I always tell my clients to not wait for muscles to atrophy before getting the right therapy. Once the nerves die due to compression injuries, it can’t come back, so as a certified hand therapist…I always recommend find someone you trust to help you. I hope you get better! ❤️‍🩹 and our clinic is located in Miami if that helps.

[@Synchrimedia]

i have numbness in my 4th and 5th fingers and also weakness in the pinch grip between my thumb and index finger. I've had a triple cervical fusion last June due to stenosis and bone spurs, but it didn't help my numbness. It's been 2-1/2 years since it's gone numb (about a week after a fall). it's not like i've ignored it. it took 9 months just to get it diagnosed and surgery on my neck. either that wasn't the cause or it was already too late by then. i doubt it'll ever come back at this point even if i get elbow surgery.

[@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami]

Sorry to hear that. 😢 Good luck if you do decide to go ahead with the elbow surgery.

[@mvannorden02]

I went from severe unexplained itching on my arm to numbness and tingling to loss of strength and inability to use my hand. Then I woke up two days ago in severe unending pain. The only thing that helps at all is BC Powder for some reason. I know its bad for me but im taking so many BCs to make it through the day. I need to go to the doctor I know and I'm going to ASAP

[@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami]

Yikes! That sounds terrible. Good luck! I hope you get some help.

[@mvannorden02]

@@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami thank you! 🙏

[@jeanlanning9222]

Hello and thank you for this very helpful information, I am very grateful for your frank conversation. I have been suffering from what may be an advanced stage of this very thing. I have quite severe pain all along the the ulnar nerve from the base of the skull down one side of the neck/throat, inner shoulder/armpit, lateral side of chest/ribcage all the way down inside of arm to the last 2 fingers. I have gone to Drs & have not been told anything about the ulnar nerve. I have been given lidocaine patches & pain meds. Lots of pain meds which don’t work so I don’t take. Please tell me what to say to be heard at my next appt? I am even having some dizziness. I don’t know if it can be attributed to this, but even in my cheek, skull near my ear & my eye all on the same side, I am having similar pain. Neurologists, osteopaths, GP & ER Drs have not offered me this diagnoses. Just pain meds & injections which I have not yet taken. Also, besides the exercises for this, can a well trained acupuncturist be helpful with this?

[@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami]

Your symptoms sound like they go beyond just the ulnar nerve. You can go to a neurosurgeon, a ortho who specializes in spine and/or hands. Those specialties will offer you pills injections or surgery but can give you some clarity on where to look. You can fine an Occupational or physical therapist who specializes in hands and spine. Keep looking for a specialist and be willing to go outside of insurance so they can look at you as a person vs a body part. Good luck!

[@jeanlanning9222]

@ thank you very much. I am very grateful for your response and your time.

[@cam3875]

Good content, but could have been 1.5min video

[@HandsOnTherapyServicesIncMiami]

😂 I like to talk.