Can I still do certain activities with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?!
Question: I'm pretty certain I have Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, because I've had a strange numbing sensation in my elbow and my pinky and ring fingers on my left hand/arm for a while now. I've heard this is fairly common in guitar players, and i have been playing for close to 8 years now. I'm beginning to notice that it is limiting my ability to play. I'm going to a doctor soon, but in the mean time I was wondering if anyone knows should I stop playing guitar and lifting weights until this is healed, or will I be alright if I wear an elbow brace while I sleep to keep my elbow straight? Any suggestions would be great.
Answers: I'm pretty certain I have Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, because I've had a strange numbing sensation in my elbow and my pinky and ring fingers on my left hand/arm for a while now. I've heard this is fairly common in guitar players, and i have been playing for close to 8 years now. I'm beginning to notice that it is limiting my ability to play. I'm going to a doctor soon, but in the mean time I was wondering if anyone knows should I stop playing guitar and lifting weights until this is healed, or will I be alright if I wear an elbow brace while I sleep to keep my elbow straight? Any suggestions would be great.
Hi, I had Cubital Tunnel Syndrome for 4 years. My symptoms started with pins and needles in my little finger and 1/2 my ring finger when I bent my right arm. Treatment involved keeping my arm straight at night. The doctor suggested rolling up a towel but it's not very effective. My hands always insisted in creeping back up and curling under my chin.
I couldn't find a static brace to keep my arm straight.
After a while, symptoms worsened (over the next 3 years) to the point of pain in the elbow and loss of fine motor skills, I was referred to an orthopedic surgeon. An MRI and an EMG later and surgery was planned.
An Ulnar Nerve Transposition was performed in October 07 and all went well.
I had a fair amount of pain for the first couple of weeks but mended quite quickly after that. I did not have to wear a brace after surgery and was encouraged to use my arm gently as much as possible.
Immediately after surgery the pins and needles were gone and now I am completely pain free and lifting weights at the gym again.
Unfortunately I seem to have developed this in my left elbow, but this time I found an Occupational Therapist and had a night splint custom made (not cheap) but working really well this time.
Definitely seek medical advice for this, if it gets to the point where the nerve is damaged, it cannot be repaired.
Good luck.