Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

[Lungstib]

Has anyone on this forum ever been diagnosed as suffering from this condition? If so could they try to explain quite how the symptoms felt and if it worsened. More to the point is there treatment in this country, or anywhere at all? 

7 years ago I has a motorbike accident and broke my leg in several places below the knee. I had 2 operations, ended up with that ironwork sticking out like a TV aerial. That severely reduces your sleep position options even when the accident pain has gone. About 2-3 weeks into my hospital stay I started with an icy tingle running down my forearm into the little finger side of my hand. It was quite disturbing and soon causing me as much trouble as my broken leg. The hospital ignored my complaints and worries, took no action. The iron stayed on my leg for almost 9 months, sleep was always a problem with getting comfortable. The icy tingles slowly subsided but numbness and discomfort followed to the point where I wake with no feeling at all in my left hand and slightly less numbness in the right one. During the course of the day, all day, I have a constant mild numbness in my left hand little finger. A check up at Mae Ai hospital had the doctor telling me I was in great shape for my age, but she couldn't help me with this problem. The suggestion that its Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is from reading opinions on the internet. I have learned to live with it but wish I didn't have to. 

[Sheryl]

Treatment is certainly available in Thailand but one needs to see a hand specialist and yo uwon't find that in Mae Ai.  there are several at CMU who can probably be accessed at Sripat:

 

Prof. Kanit Sananpanich

Prof. Jirachart  Kraisarin (also available at Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai)

Prof. Pichitchai  Atthakomol  (also available at Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai)

 

Conservative management of cubital tunnel syndrome is splinting the elbow at night (you can buy splints online, or jerry rig one of your own) plus targeted exercises, google "cubital tunnel exercises".  NSAIDs may also be helpful if you have no contraindications.

 

If these fail - or if you find splinting at night intolerable - then surgery is necessary.  It's a simple day procedure but  should be performed by a hand specialist. It usually leads to considerable improvement but in severe cases may nto remove symptoms 100%. See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29214401

[Lungstib]

Thanks for that reply. So, you do think its cubital tunnel? I wasn't sure but it was all I could find. Was the accident a possible cause or does it just happen? It wakes me at night but then again so does the prostrate problem that needs 3 bathroom trips. I will approach a doctor about the NSAID's, see if they can proscribe them. If I am in Chiang Mai I'll try one of those specialists although I'm not sure i have the desire for an operation not the money. I've just put the hand numbness and shortened leg down to the bike accident and lived with it. At 67 it seems like you have to expect such things.

[offset]

Do not worry to much about the operation I had it done 12 years ago it a 15 minute operation and mine was done with a local anesthetic and I was awake all the time talking to the nurse after 4 hours in hospital and I was allowed home

 

My symptoms were the 3 fingers went numb my index finger and thumb were ok and if needed I would have it done again 

[tifino]

sounds like what a dose of Tennis Elbow feels like, but on a massively magnified scale!

[Sheryl]

It certainly sounds like cubital tunnel but need a hand specislist to confirm.

 

It can happen by itself. Sleeping with the elbow tightly bent can be a contributing factor.

 

You do not need a doctor to prescribe NSAIDs, they are sold over the counter at every pharmacy. Ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen etc etc. Should not be taken if you have a history of any sort of bleeding disorder or ulcer disease/gastritis or if you are on any type of anticoagulant. Also not if you have kidney disease.

 

Must be taken with food. Main side effect is gastric irritation.

 

Do try the exercises and splinting. The splint does not have to totally immobilize the elbow, just keep it from tightly flexing.

 

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