Permanent nerve damage?!
Question: Permanent nerve damage!?
I have been complaining to doctor about tingling and numbness and losing strenght in left hand since early 2003!. The half of my hand and fingers opposite the thumb have been completely numb for almost 1 1/2 yrs now!. He had ruled out carpal tunnel and although there is a neck injury they said the symptoms were more severe than what the MRIs showed of the neck!. Today I had to see a new doctor and he thinks the source is the ulnar nerve at the elbow!. He wants me to have surgery to prevent further nerve damage!. I will not regain any feeling because he said it has been much too long!. My question is, do I need the surgery at this point if he said the damage is permanent and how could it get worse!? I have other more immediate concerns probably involving surgery in other areas!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
IT would be best to have the numbness of your hand mapped as the hand is weirdly wired!. If your condition is a peripheral neuropathy as is Ulnar neuropathy, a procedure called EMG-NCV would be helpful in locating which nerve and which part of that nerve has been impinged and severity of impingement!. The ulnar nerve has a sensory component and a motor component!. As you already have sensory involvement it may eventually progress into involving the motor supply of the nerve!. See your Neurologist!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
well, if you already have the nerve damage it's not going to get any better!. maybe he is just suggesting surgery to keep you from losing feeling in the rest of your hand!. might want to ask him about it!. seems like it could be unnecessary!.Www@Answer-Health@Com