Ulnar nerve issues?

[punkjazzben]

Hi all,

Very very very long time since posting here, and a great Old Man topic to resume with.

I went to the doctor today having become a bit annoyed with a general tightness and numbness in my left-hand pinky, ring finger, and forearm, and tightness in my elbow. My GP was fairly quick to spot an ulnar nerve issue and has referred me to get an ultrasound and see a neurologist. I am 35 and I suspect it has to do with intensive rowing from age 13-18; if you know you know: I was stroke seat and that left elbow got a real work out in my formative years.

I will see the specialist, but me and my GP are assuming ulnar nerve damage or entrapment/Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. I'm wondering if anyone here has dealt with this, what happened, whether you had surgery, lifestyle changes, stretches, etc. etc. etc. I know some of you have and I just want to know about your experiences, get some reassurance and so on.

Cheers,

 

[Pacman]

I had a run of "ulnar nerve palsy" in my late 20s, and it turns out it was due to my playing position in my right hand. I was inadvertently cutting off blood flow. Changed position, cleared it right up. Have you gotten a new bass recently?

 

[g-dude]

Get a nerve study done by your neurologist. It isn’t fun, but it’s an excellent diagnostic tool.

MRIs can also spot issues.

If you get sent to PT, you’ll probably be doing lots of nerve glides.

 

[RSerbel]

I'm a physical therapist. I deal off/on with right sided ulnar nerve problems. Ulnar nerve glides help, position changes with the bass help - floating thumb technique held my right shoulder too much in internal rotation which caused me nerve problems so getting away from that technique has really really helped.

It might be a mix of your neck, shoulder and arm, so I'd suggest going to get evaluated by a therapist, the thing is finding one that really knows what they're doing. Try getting another recommendation if the first one doesn't work out, maybe one who's an OCS (orthopedic clinical specialist).

 

[punkjazzben]

Thank you all!

I am booked in for a nerve conducting test (might have got name wrong?) with a neurologist and also an ultrasound of my entire left arm. My understanding is that these two tests should cover most common issues. I have read that repetitive elbow bending can cause problems and this makes sense having been a rower for most of teenage years.

I looked up some ulnar nerve glide/floss videos and tried them out -- felt great but I'm a little worried that if it's damage to the nerve itself and not soft tissue entrapment I might do more damage. So will wait on expert advice!

I suspect this will be a little bit of an issue regardless of what treatment I end up having so I'd be interested to know if anyone has any equipment tips that might make life easier? (E.g. thinner neck and lighter gauge strings would make sense I suppose)

EDIT: Should mention here that's there no new basses, no changes etc. I think things are just finally catching up on me.

 

[g-dude]

Thank you all!

I am booked in for a nerve conducting test (might have got name wrong?) with a neurologist and also an ultrasound of my entire left arm. My understanding is that these two tests should cover most common issues. I have read that repetitive elbow bending can cause problems and this makes sense having been a rower for most of teenage years.

I looked up some ulnar nerve glide/floss videos and tried them out -- felt great but I'm a little worried that if it's damage to the nerve itself and not soft tissue entrapment I might do more damage. So will wait on expert advice!

I suspect this will be a little bit of an issue regardless of what treatment I end up having so I'd be interested to know if anyone has any equipment tips that might make life easier? (E.g. thinner neck and lighter gauge strings would make sense I suppose)

EDIT: Should mention here that's there no new basses, no changes etc. I think things are just finally catching up on me.

The nerve test isn't pleasant.

I mean, it's not horrible and scary, but you're not going to enjoy it.

 

[MrLenny1]

Atrophied ulnar nerve, left arm for 20 years now. Ring & pinky painful all the time.
The more I do the more it hurts. PT was an aid but not much for me.
Repetitive motion at work and wearing a bass is the main cause.
I use Gabapentin for pain and light stretches for shoulder & arm.
Wearing a bass is painful after an hour so sitting gets me through
Sorry for a negative answer.