Ulnar Nerve problems

[StephenHero]

Anyone ever had problems with their ulnar nerve? I got a new office chair with hard arm rests and over the past two weeks I was evidently resting my elbow on it a lot and agitated something down in my elbow. My pinky and ring finger went slightly numb/tingly and it's been two weeks of very gradual but noticeable improvement. I've barely used my arm at all since then and I've let it heal while taking moderate doses of ibuprofen. How important is it to see a doctor if it's only slightly numb after 10 days or so? Anyone know the timeline for these injuries from experience?

 

[MetroStyles]

Originally Posted by StephenHero

Anyone ever had problems with their ulnar nerve? I got a new office chair with hard arm rests and over the past two weeks I was evidently resting my elbow on it a lot and agitated something down in my elbow. My pinky and ring finger went slightly numb/tingly and it's been two weeks of very gradual but noticeable improvement. I've barely used my arm at all since then and I've let it heal while taking moderate doses of ibuprofen. How important is it to see a doctor if it's only slightly numb after 10 days or so? Anyone know the timeline for these injuries from experience?

See a doctor immediately. Any circulation/nerve problems need to be treated professionally. You may have carpal tunnel / a nerve issue / a blood clot.

 

[StephenHero]

Carpal tunnel is for the other three fingers.

 

[MetroStyles]

Originally Posted by StephenHero

Carpal tunnel is for the other three fingers.

I may not be a doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 

[LawrenceMD]

Originally Posted by StephenHero

Carpal tunnel is for the other three fingers.
true, but this screams of the type of repetitive stress that similarly causes nerve damage like carpel tunnel only this time to your medial aspect of your arm. you already know its the new chair. honestly just get rid of it and find something else. it will only worsen the problem. sometimes the most ergonomic of chairs still will cause problems to the individual. ulnar problems are weird because they can lead to other problems in the shoulder. i've seen guys with locked shoulder syndrome (which can be excruciatingly painful and embarrassing because you it just spasms randomly) that started with problems with numbness/ in their medial arm from typing/using a mouse the whole day. Its a good idea go ahead and visit a doctor, and mention the chair, he'll probably just do a quick neuro exam and then prescribe vitamin B complexes and maybe some PT (which I know sounds overboard but thats probably what will happen). At least you'll learn how to stretch it out by a professional.