A day at the orthopedics office!

OK, had two doctors appointment today.

First one was with the orthopedic guy early this afternoon.

First thing they did was to remove the cast! Oh boy did that ever feel
good!!! Felt even better to be able to wash my hands really thoroughly!

Well, the first thing he noticed is that the thumb area down to the
wrist was even more swollen than it had been 4 weeks ago. He ask me if
I thought it felt any better, and I told him no, that actually with the
cast on, it would swell and then have no where more to go so the cast
would end up being quite tight at times due to the swelling. I also
could tell, that even with the cast on, that the pain was still fairly
significant. So, he said he really really would like to try to avoid
surgery, so he was going to put me back in the cast, but then decided to
have a full splint made and I'll do that for the next 4-5 weeks. He
told me he wants me to take it off at least 2-3 times during the day to
ice it down, but otherwise it is to be worn at all times except when
showering. Will recheck it again in 4 weeks. The other issue we
talked about was that on that same arm, I was having some problems with
my elbow and some numbness in my hand which he said was all related to
something called ulnar neuritis? Sheesh, that's a new one on me. Will
have to research it a bit to learn more about what that is and what
causes it.

Any of you ever have ulnar neuritis or know much about it???

If things haven't changed much by the time I go back in another month,
he will do steroid injections in the elbow, and in two of the three
joints in my thumb. Oh joy!!!

Will post my experience at the lung doctors in a seperate post!

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Donna
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1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
call them FRIENDS......


2.) J.K.M.A.

I think it occurs as a result of compression of the ulnar nerve that
runs along the underside of the arm. I frequently have numbness in my
ring and baby fingers as a result of this compression. Basically, this
is a live with it type of problm. Many years ago my rheumy mentioned
surgery to remove the ulnar nerve, or do something with it (I forgot
exactly). The surgery is very extensive and ultimately ends up being
an incision from the wrist to elbow. Basically i said no thanks to
that, and have continued just fine with my numb fingers.
Rose @}->--
Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown,
one seeks to understand it.

Please remove "Ima" to reply.

Yeah, Rose, that is exactly where I have the numbness, in the little
finger and a bit in the ring finger. He did some other testing and said
at this point it doesn't appear that I have any major nerve damage from
it!

Thanks for the info!

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Donna
..
..
..
..
1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
call them FRIENDS......


2.) J.K.M.A.

>
> Any of you ever have ulnar neuritis or know much about it???
>
> If things haven't changed much by the time I go back in another month,
> he will do steroid injections in the elbow, and in two of the three
> joints in my thumb. Oh joy!!!
>
> Will post my experience at the lung doctors in a seperate post!
>
> .
> .
> .
> .
>
> Donna
> .

Yo Donna!

Way back when I had my neck surgery (2000) I had damn awful pain in my arms.
Wanted to rip one of them off and beat the other one with it. Thought
problem was in neck. Wrong! Ulnar nerve runs through the elbow and down.
Had to have relocation surgery to remove it from the elbow joint. Scar is
about 4" long. Nerve is very damaged from waiting too long to address the
issue. Am in constant pain with it that shoots back up into my spine from my
fingers up. The surgery only prevents the nerve from further damage. Need to
have the right one done one of these days as well. Had to have the old nerve
conduction tests to pinpoint where the exact problem was. Also, as the
damage progresses the muscles begin to be effected as the nerve is no longer
functioning properly.
GaryZ

Hi Donna,
Back when I had EMG and nerve conduction studies nd MRI for PN, the
neurologist mentioned that the numbness in my pinkie and ring finger on
my left hand was caused by compression of the ulnar nerve. She also
mentioned that the spot on my elbow that screamed out once in a while
was from the same source. Nothing was said about fixing it so I just
figured I had to live with it. It actually has never gotten any worse
and I hardly notice it now.

Ann

{{{{{{Donna}}}}}

DeeTee

"Donna G." <DKGBeeker@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:25905-48B4E37C-2263@storefull-3112.bay.webtv.net...
>
>
>
>
> OK, had two doctors appointment today.
>
> First one was with the orthopedic guy early this afternoon.
>
> First thing they did was to remove the cast! Oh boy did that ever feel
> good!!! Felt even better to be able to wash my hands really thoroughly!
>
> Well, the first thing he noticed is that the thumb area down to the
> wrist was even more swollen than it had been 4 weeks ago. He ask me if
> I thought it felt any better, and I told him no, that actually with the
> cast on, it would swell and then have no where more to go so the cast
> would end up being quite tight at times due to the swelling. I also
> could tell, that even with the cast on, that the pain was still fairly
> significant. So, he said he really really would like to try to avoid
> surgery, so he was going to put me back in the cast, but then decided to
> have a full splint made and I'll do that for the next 4-5 weeks. He
> told me he wants me to take it off at least 2-3 times during the day to
> ice it down, but otherwise it is to be worn at all times except when
> showering. Will recheck it again in 4 weeks. The other issue we
> talked about was that on that same arm, I was having some problems with
> my elbow and some numbness in my hand which he said was all related to
> something called ulnar neuritis? Sheesh, that's a new one on me. Will
> have to research it a bit to learn more about what that is and what
> causes it.
>
> Any of you ever have ulnar neuritis or know much about it???
>
> If things haven't changed much by the time I go back in another month,
> he will do steroid injections in the elbow, and in two of the three
> joints in my thumb. Oh joy!!!
>
> Will post my experience at the lung doctors in a seperate post!
>
> .
> .
> .
> .
>
> Donna
> .
> .
> .
> .
> 1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
> call them FRIENDS......
>
>
> 2.) J.K.M.A.
>

donna, my mother had ulnar nerve surgery at least thirty years ago.
she then had a scar about 4-5 inches on her elbow and was completely
cured, so if your problem continues, at least there's a solution. i
hope you can avoid another surgery tho.

diane

My mother, too, had the ulnar release surgery as they called it. I agree
that if it is going to work, there can't be too much damage done. I
understand you not wanting another surgery.

Prayers

--
Navy
Take out the FISH to email me.
"Diane" <dcham@aol.com> wrote in message
news:dc411f62-d840-4fc3-a521-d50b7928f162@c58g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
> donna, my mother had ulnar nerve surgery at least thirty years ago.
> she then had a scar about 4-5 inches on her elbow and was completely
> cured, so if your problem continues, at least there's a solution. i
> hope you can avoid another surgery tho.
>
> diane
>

(((((((((((((Donna)))))))))))))) at least the splint will be a bit better
than the cast and you can help the thumb out more with icing it and all.
It's good that he's trying to keep from having to do surgery on you, too.
It's a real shame though that your estimates of how things were going on
under the cast was right.

Though I didn't have that name for it, I've had some ulnar neuritis troubles
the past few months. s long as it's just numbness in the fingers, I don't
worry too much, but when the elbows get really tender it can make me nuts.
It's also known as cubital tunnel syndrome, so if you have come across that
in your research, look it up as well. I've known people who have had surgery
for it - some successful, some not.

Mike's had trouble with numbness in that partof the hand that comes from
tension in his shoulders (and he doesn't keep up with the exercises PT gave
him!), but he was having any trouble with the elbows to go with it.

--
Nann
remove the Gator cheer to email me
Change everything. Love & forgive.

I am sorry to hear you have to be in a splint but hopefully that will be
much better than a cast. At least you can take it off and wash up and ice
it. I hope this time you heal quickly and nothing else is wrong with it.

Just what you needed was something else to deal with. Ok Donna, it is time
for you to get to the front of the return line and return at least a dozen
of those things. ;-)


--
Love and hugs to all
Love Squirrely

>
> OK, had two doctors appointment today.
>
> First one was with the orthopedic guy early this afternoon.
>
> First thing they did was to remove the cast! Oh boy did that ever feel
> good!!! Felt even better to be able to wash my hands really thoroughly!
>
> Well, the first thing he noticed is that the thumb area down to the
> wrist was even more swollen than it had been 4 weeks ago. He ask me if
> I thought it felt any better, and I told him no, that actually with the
> cast on, it would swell and then have no where more to go so the cast
> would end up being quite tight at times due to the swelling. I also
> could tell, that even with the cast on, that the pain was still fairly
> significant. So, he said he really really would like to try to avoid
> surgery, so he was going to put me back in the cast, but then decided to
> have a full splint made and I'll do that for the next 4-5 weeks. He
> told me he wants me to take it off at least 2-3 times during the day to
> ice it down, but otherwise it is to be worn at all times except when
> showering. Will recheck it again in 4 weeks. The other issue we
> talked about was that on that same arm, I was having some problems with
> my elbow and some numbness in my hand which he said was all related to
> something called ulnar neuritis? Sheesh, that's a new one on me. Will
> have to research it a bit to learn more about what that is and what
> causes it.
>
> Any of you ever have ulnar neuritis or know much about it???
>
> If things haven't changed much by the time I go back in another month,
> he will do steroid injections in the elbow, and in two of the three
> joints in my thumb. Oh joy!!!
>
> Will post my experience at the lung doctors in a seperate post!
>
> .
> .
> .
> .
>
> Donna
> .
> .
> .
> .
> 1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
> call them FRIENDS......
>
>
> 2.) J.K.M.A.
>

Wow, didn't realize so many of you yourselves or people you have known
have had this problem. I've never even heard of it.

Appreciate you all sharing your experiences, it definitely helps me and
gives me somethings to think about and to keep in the back of my mind
for future reference.

I am hoping we can avoid the surgery on both the thumb and the elbow.

Ortho said he really is hoping to avoid the surgeries as well.
Hopefully if things don't start improving, hopefully the steroid
injections will help both areas.

Any of you have the steroid injections in your elbow before?

..
..
..
..

Donna
..
..
..
..
1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
call them FRIENDS......


2.) J.K.M.A.

Yeah, I though we had a limit of three, or with special permission, six?

--
Navy
Take out the FISH to email me.
"Squirrely" <sqjo@sonic.net> wrote in message
news:48b637d6$0$17225$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
>I am sorry to hear you have to be in a splint but hopefully that will be
>much better than a cast. At least you can take it off and wash up and ice
>it. I hope this time you heal quickly and nothing else is wrong with it.
>
> Just what you needed was something else to deal with. Ok Donna, it is time
> for you to get to the front of the return line and return at least a dozen
> of those things. ;-)
>
>
> --
> Love and hugs to all
> Love Squirrely
>
>>
>> OK, had two doctors appointment today.
>>
>> First one was with the orthopedic guy early this afternoon.
>>
>> First thing they did was to remove the cast! Oh boy did that ever feel
>> good!!! Felt even better to be able to wash my hands really thoroughly!
>>
>> Well, the first thing he noticed is that the thumb area down to the
>> wrist was even more swollen than it had been 4 weeks ago. He ask me if
>> I thought it felt any better, and I told him no, that actually with the
>> cast on, it would swell and then have no where more to go so the cast
>> would end up being quite tight at times due to the swelling. I also
>> could tell, that even with the cast on, that the pain was still fairly
>> significant. So, he said he really really would like to try to avoid
>> surgery, so he was going to put me back in the cast, but then decided to
>> have a full splint made and I'll do that for the next 4-5 weeks. He
>> told me he wants me to take it off at least 2-3 times during the day to
>> ice it down, but otherwise it is to be worn at all times except when
>> showering. Will recheck it again in 4 weeks. The other issue we
>> talked about was that on that same arm, I was having some problems with
>> my elbow and some numbness in my hand which he said was all related to
>> something called ulnar neuritis? Sheesh, that's a new one on me. Will
>> have to research it a bit to learn more about what that is and what
>> causes it.
>>
>> Any of you ever have ulnar neuritis or know much about it???
>>
>> If things haven't changed much by the time I go back in another month,
>> he will do steroid injections in the elbow, and in two of the three
>> joints in my thumb. Oh joy!!!
>>
>> Will post my experience at the lung doctors in a seperate post!
>>
>> .
>> .
>> .
>> .
>>
>> Donna
>> .
>> .
>> .
>> .
>> 1.) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
>> call them FRIENDS......
>>
>>
>> 2.) J.K.M.A.
>>
>
>

"Nann Bell" <hanbellGOGATORS@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C4DB988E0173AC74F0284550@news.east.ear thlink.net...
(((((((((((((Donna)))))))))))))) at least the splint will be a bit better
than the cast and you can help the thumb out more with icing it and all.
It's good that he's trying to keep from having to do surgery on you, too.
It's a real shame though that your estimates of how things were going on
under the cast was right.

Though I didn't have that name for it, I've had some ulnar neuritis troubles
the past few months. s long as it's just numbness in the fingers, I don't
worry too much, but when the elbows get really tender it can make me nuts.
It's also known as cubital tunnel syndrome, so if you have come across that
in your research, look it up as well. I've known people who have had
surgery
for it - some successful, some not.

Mike's had trouble with numbness in that partof the hand that comes from
tension in his shoulders (and he doesn't keep up with the exercises PT gave
him!), but he was having any trouble with the elbows to go with it.

--
Nann
remove the Gator cheer to email me
Change everything. Love & forgive.

((((((((((((donnag)))))))))) i've had intermittant ulnar nerve problem,
pinky and ring finger numbness, too. but for me, mine seems to be a neck
issue as appears the carpal tunnel in that hand. and that "crazy bone" ache
gets to me sometimes.

i'm always amazed by how many people don't know that when a lot of swelling
occurs under a cast, they should call their doctor to have the pressure
released. don't they even write down those instructions for their patients
anymore? normally, the doc will have the cast split and wrap the split cast
in an ace bandage. that ace bandage helps you because you can loosen it
when swelling increases and tighten it back up when swelling subsides. and
then icing it all also helps. wish i had known about your swelling issues.

the last time i had a cast, for this shattered wrist, i had them split it
immediately, because i knew there would be swelling. if they won't split it
immediately for that good reason, i will tell them i'm claustrophobic and
can't deal with it.<g>

but i think you'll like your splint a heck of a lot better than the cast you
had, sweetie.

kate