keeping arm straight at night - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

xandrr · 06-17-2004, 12:13 PM

I was diagnosed as having cubital and carpal tunnel. My doctor told me to keep my arm straight at night when i sleep. I'm having a lot of trouble doing this. Does anyone have any tricks so that their arm is straight all night long. I've used elbow pads and ace bandages but I still find my arm bending at night. Also, can you have it too straight? I've woken up with cramps from the feeling of my arm bending backwars. Nothing seems to really help though (since the two weeks that i've manifested cubital symptoms) and i'm afraid i'm doing stuff wrong.

Thanks for any help.

mugwump · 06-17-2004, 04:17 PM

I think I read once to wrap your elbow in a magazine, except that doesn't seem like it would be very comfortable, unless you put towels around it or something. If your arm feels like it is being bent backwards, that almost sounds like it is too straight, or that it is bending over whatever is trying to keep it straight.

xandrr · 06-17-2004, 07:03 PM

It bending over the padding i put on totally makes sense. Exactly how straight should it be? I've read that as long as it stays below a 30 degree twist you're okay. Is that right?

mugwump · 06-17-2004, 08:42 PM

I've read that the more bent your elbow is, the more the ulnar nerve has to stretch. So I guess the less bent it is, the better, but even if your arm is just hanging at your side it's not completely straight. So probably 30 degrees would be okay. I have a body pillow that I prop my arm on which helps keep it kind of straight, at least when I am trying to fall asleep.

John Woo · 06-17-2004, 10:39 PM

So, doctors say to keep your arm straight? Does that mean that cubital tunnel can heal automatically if u keep your arm straight & give it time to heal & stuff?