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What Causes Numbness In Little And Ring Fingers?
Question: I have numbness in my little finger and ring finger. I had two operations that were not successful. The last doctor says it will take a year from the operation for the situation to get better. That operation was performed in Dec, 2014 and there has been no improvement. Both operations were performed around the elbow. The blockage is in my mid left forearm where I broke my arm when I was 16. I talked to my neurologist and she said this is not going to work. She did one of the conductivity tests which was confirmed by the doctor who did the last operation. The neurologist said the operation has to be done at the point of blockage and do not let them operate from the elbow. She said I probably should go to the XXXXXXX Clinic in Florida which has an international great rating. Is she correct.
Brief Answer:
She is correct.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
That description is compatible with damage of the ulnar nerve. Most commonly the site of the damage is at the elbow where the nerve us well exposed near the surface with hard bone underneath.
However the neurologist is right, that doesn't mean they should operate blindly at the elbow, if the site of compression is further distally that type of intervention won't solve the problem. If history of trauma and nerve conduction studies indicate the site to be in the forearm any intervention should address that site. After such a long time though there is the chance for some symptoms to remain due to the nerve sustaining permanent damage.
As for the best place to get an opinion, it is true that the XXXXXXX Clinic has a world wide reputation, known even to someone practicing in Europe like me, so would agree again with your neurologist in saying you'll get the best expertise there.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
She is correct.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
That description is compatible with damage of the ulnar nerve. Most commonly the site of the damage is at the elbow where the nerve us well exposed near the surface with hard bone underneath.
However the neurologist is right, that doesn't mean they should operate blindly at the elbow, if the site of compression is further distally that type of intervention won't solve the problem. If history of trauma and nerve conduction studies indicate the site to be in the forearm any intervention should address that site. After such a long time though there is the chance for some symptoms to remain due to the nerve sustaining permanent damage.
As for the best place to get an opinion, it is true that the XXXXXXX Clinic has a world wide reputation, known even to someone practicing in Europe like me, so would agree again with your neurologist in saying you'll get the best expertise there.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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