TMBRA - Rider Board

[asshauler]

I fell directly on my right elbow about 6 years ago on pavement and since experienced a shocking pain (like plugging my fingers into an outlet in the wall) whenever I would push myself over (weight on elbows)during sleep. I went to the dr. and he ran nerve tests and some scans and a x-ray for the bones and came up with the conclusion nothing was abnormal. Well now I have numbness in my elbow everynight for the last 3 months and a few times it has caused my middle to pinky fingers to go to sleep. No matter what position, when my arm is drawn up to my body or outstretched my elbow throbs and aches. What can you guys tell me based on this info? What should I do next?

[The Bike Doc]

donkeyhauler:

It is not in your head but in your elbow. You are describing ulnar nerve compression. The ulnar nerve runs along the outside groove of the elbow and can be injured by direct blows such as you incurred or be entrapped by arthritic changes to the joint (which can develop years after a truamatic injury to the elbow such as yours ). The numbness and tingling that go into your ring and middle fingers are classic ulnar nerve compression findings. Get thee to an orthopedic doctor for further evaluation. You will likely need to get a nerve conduction study to assess the degree of nerve damage and possibly an MRI or CT of the elbow to determine the extent of the entrapment that may be going on and to plan a surgical corrective procedure.

Thanks,
_________________
Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc

[asshauler]

Thanks Doc! Even though it enabled my girlfriend to say I told you so! So why does it only hurt when I'm sleeping and not during the day? I'm not trying to beat a dead mule here but I would think since it is laying flat on the mattress there wouldn't be much pressure or whatever it takes to make it hurt?

Burrodriver

[The Bike Doc]

asshauler:

Unfortunately when you sleep you arm can often get into positions that compress the nerve further. This often can occur with the kind of malady you have as well as with a similar malady, carpal tunnel syndrome. You will have go to the space station and sleep in zero gravity with nothing touching your elbow to avoid this problem during sleep.

Thanks,
_________________
Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc