Balmurdrum
Junior Member
As a physician and having been a surgical patient as well, I have to say that I both completely understand your fear of surgery, and want to remind you that there is a point where it is absolutely the best option.
The factors that determine whether surgery is the next step include perceived loss of strength, increased pain or paresthesias ("pins and needles") at rest, and an inability to 'trust' yourself with gripping objects (let alone carrying a small child, etc.).
Conservative is the way to go (and any orthopedic surgeon will agree)- until it isn't. Just dont wait until you have atrophy (permanent muscle damage).
Cubital tunnel release is a simple and very successful surgery. Avoid chiropractors because an overuse entrapment syndrome does not get better from motion. The only reason someone on here got 'better' from a chiropractor was because they listened to a chiropractor when they recommended they take it easy for a while and the inflammation subsided.
TLDR- take your NSAIDs as permitted by YOUR physician who knows your medical history, use splints and braces as much as you can tolerate, try to minimize activity for a while to see if rest will help, and if you need surgery, dont wait until there is irreversible nerve damage.
**ALSO, since I can speak as a drummer as well, while its impossible to avoid flexing your elbows when you play drums, try not to use french grip. that will entrap your cubital tunnel and the Guyon canal in your wrist in the same line. put your fingers over your cubital tunnel and play in french grip if you dont believe me. So- Turn your palms down and play like a bada** American dangit!
The factors that determine whether surgery is the next step include perceived loss of strength, increased pain or paresthesias ("pins and needles") at rest, and an inability to 'trust' yourself with gripping objects (let alone carrying a small child, etc.).
Conservative is the way to go (and any orthopedic surgeon will agree)- until it isn't. Just dont wait until you have atrophy (permanent muscle damage).
Cubital tunnel release is a simple and very successful surgery. Avoid chiropractors because an overuse entrapment syndrome does not get better from motion. The only reason someone on here got 'better' from a chiropractor was because they listened to a chiropractor when they recommended they take it easy for a while and the inflammation subsided.
TLDR- take your NSAIDs as permitted by YOUR physician who knows your medical history, use splints and braces as much as you can tolerate, try to minimize activity for a while to see if rest will help, and if you need surgery, dont wait until there is irreversible nerve damage.
**ALSO, since I can speak as a drummer as well, while its impossible to avoid flexing your elbows when you play drums, try not to use french grip. that will entrap your cubital tunnel and the Guyon canal in your wrist in the same line. put your fingers over your cubital tunnel and play in french grip if you dont believe me. So- Turn your palms down and play like a bada** American dangit!