From Karlyn

I finally know what I have, and I guess that’s something anyway.. now I just need to find ways to relieve it. This pain in my arm began in June, so I’ve been dealing with it for 5 months. It sounds like a long time, but for the most part, the pain has been more of an annoyance than anything. Some days here and there would find me complaining more about the pain as it intensified for one reason or another, but before I made the trek to the Doctor, I did my own research.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects the ulnar nerve, on the inside edge of the elbow. The symptoms feel similar to hitting your funny bone. When this area becomes irritated from injury or pressure, it can lead to cubital tunnel syndrome.

I found a lot of useful information at this site and being the visual-learner that I am, I found the drawings helpful too. I have links to a couple of other sites at the bottom of this post.

After reading it, it all clicked and made sense. It says: “Most people with this (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome) problem have a habit of sleeping with either their elbows bent, their arms up by their head, or both. These positions aggravate the problem. Over time, this can progressively irritate the nerve, resulting in numbness of the ring and small finger, weakness of some of the muscles of the hand and forearm, and pain.” Yes, I concur. I am one of those people that sleep on their bent arm. I need to train myself to sleep a new way now. I can do it (psyching myself up!). I just hope it’s not too late to fix.

If you are having this problem and found your way here, good for you! The quicker you learn about it and start taking steps to correct it, the better! You know something funny though, this “Cubital Tunnel Syndrome” is also known as “Cell Phone Elbow”.

Okay, I have to go apply some topical analgesic and take some ibuprofen.

Until later, here are a couple more site I hope help you out too:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulnar_nerve_entrapment

http://www.handuniversity.com/topics.asp?Topic_ID=8