ulnar nerve - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

marky mark25 · 09-07-2008, 08:06 AM

i have been diagnosed with severe ulnar nerve damage and have refused the corrective surgery at this point is there any theropy i can do to slow the loss of muscle strength ,lessen hand cramping and aliveating the pain

rose4me · 09-08-2008, 01:29 PM

I am sorry about your diagnosis and wonder why you have refused the corrective surgery? I have cubital tunnel syndrome, the result of an injury auto accident a year ago. I had surgery 6 months ago and even though the recovery is slow, I am recovering and that is important. I had ulnar transposition surgery (at the the elbow) and guyons canal release at the wrist. Both incisions have healed beautifully and more importantly, I am slowly regaining my life. Unfortunately that is the nature of an injury. The slow part of recovery for some. I don't know how long you've been hurting, if it was sudden as in an injury or a progression of repetitive stress injury (RPI) or something else entirely ... You must of weighed the cost of to cut or not, thoroughly. Without more information, it is impossible to advise you, or help.

marky mark25 · 09-08-2008, 06:46 PM

Thanks for responding,my injury is a result of rpi in relation to having been a block mason for 20 + yrs, as for the pain it has been persistant for the last 3 yrs or so, because of the length of time i waited to be diagnosed ( 3 months ago) dr's could not guarentee a positive outcome so u combine that with the financial end of it plus lost time from work i felt i could live with a little pain, but now cramping and loss of grip are starting to factor in and im hoping self theropy can counteract these symptoms

rose4me · 09-09-2008, 07:18 AM

The one thing I do know is that you can wind up with a permanently non-functional hand if you don't stop the progression of nerve and muscle waste. The doctors cannot tell you that you will be all better, when you have waited so long. I understand completely your apprehension in avoiding surgery, the downtime and the recovery. However, if you can live with the pain, and I can tell you, it will not get a lot better without intervention. If you can live with your hand wasteing away and a permanent loss in grip strength and fine motor skills that will continue to diminish, then you know what to expect. Unfortunately our bodies do wear out. I am so sorry that you have to make this choice. I have learned though, that the most important decisions you will ever make, will also be the most difficult ones. Let us hear from you as you continue on this journey to wellness. Rose

marky mark25 · 09-11-2008, 04:34 AM

Thanks again for the imput,i was just speculating that just as your bodys physical agility deminishes with age in an athletic aspect, which can be overcome,so can my afflictsion through some sort of physical theropy.