Official Luthiers Forum!

I`d like to get some advice from any doctors here on what my Dad should do about a pinched nerve in his elbow. This no laughing matter, please understand that my Dad is not the kind of man who whines for nothin`, when he says it hurts, it`s because most people would would have complained long before him.

I suggested to him that he should alternate heat and cold on his arm while waiting for the doctors to take care of his problem but since it`s non-life threatning, the waiting list could make him wait many weeks and he`s been enduring this pain all winter long.

What should he do? Andy, Mattia, others? TIA

All your advices will be greatly appreciated.

Serge

Tough issue
Why do you say it is a pinched nerve in his elbow?
Does he have specific nerve entrapment syptoms?
Documented by MRI or nerve conduction studies???

As far as pain relief, if it is truly a nerve issue, most antiinflammatory
drugs don't work that well, but are worth a try....ibuprofen etc.
They sometimes help in relieving pain and decreasing swelling if that is
contributing to the pain.
If it is truly a pinched nerve at the elbow, that is a bit unusual. Was there
an injury? If so, a visit to an orthopedic surgeon is certainly worth the
trip.

For privacy reasons....answer in a PM
we have HIPPA here....don't ask what that is!!!!!

_________________
Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Thanks Andy!

I have nerve damage in my leg from a car accident I was in when I was young. I definitely sympathize Serge. When I was 17 the doctors told me to smoke pot to releive some of the pain. My parents jaws hit the floor with that one I am not a real believer in alternative metaphysical stuff but a friend of mine performed Reiki on me for a year and reduced the condition to practically undetectable. So if you think I am nuts thats cool but it either truly worked or psychologically it helped. Either way it may be worth checking out.
Evan

_________________
http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

Engineers, scientist, medical doctors? Man, this is a good place!!!

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Thanks guys, i made him alternate with cold and warm magic bags tonight and will encourage him to get treated by an orthopeadist ASAP, he's supposed to go to the doctor on monda, will keep ya all updated!

Thanks to all

Serge

Listen to the two actual doctors (I'm not even an intern yet, after all), and get him to one that can actually examine him, stat.

Sure will Mattia, thanks!

Serge

Just one other layman comment. I had a presistent pain in my elbow. It went on for years, getting worse with activity. The way it presented itself was after I had been asleep for a hour or so, I would get a pain in my elbow like someone was driving a nail in. If I got up and hung my arm down at my side it would go away. I went back to sleep and an hour latter it would come back. Also during the day I would get numbness in my middle and ring finger. This went on for years.

Went to several GP's thru the years that said it wasn't tennis elbow so I was ok. Then I went to an Orthopaedist. He sent me for a nerve study. It turned out it was carpal tunnel all along. (compression of the nerve at the wrist joint) After surgury everything was great!

The point is... go to a specialist and get the test he recommends!!Joe Beaver38851.5658333333

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

They tried to feed me pot when I first had my SCI pain{spinal cord injury pain} which many paraplegics dont get whatsoever - I guess that I was one of the lucky ones, anyhow they suggested that - I dont like pot and have adverse physical reactions with respect to my heart when I smoke it, and couldnt go that route.
   Subsequently 4 1/2 years later I am still in daily pain, which is controlled with enough morphine to choke a horse.    
But when I had a bit of money from the compensation board, the one thing that I did undergo, that really thoroughly reduced the pain to a manageable degree was accupuncture - it really really worked!
Alas I cant afford it anymore and its not covered under the Canad Health Act. Mabye this could help your Pop!
Cheers
Charliecharliewood38851.5815856481

Charliewood

Really sorry to hear about you SCI. That is one of the last frontiers in medical science. With enough money and time something good will come of it.

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Thanks Joe and Mattia,

Joe, i agree with you on the orthopedist, we'll see tomorrow on what the generalist says, the carpal tunnel was mentionned previously by the lady who checked him first but for a reason that i don't know, nor my Dad, was discarded but he is decided to push forward for surgery... Thanks

Charlie, i wouldn't want to see my Dad gettin' the munchies but acupuncture was discussed last night as another solution if the health care system drops the ball on him, thanks to you too!

Serge

Serge I feel for him, unfortunately I've been through them all. Elbow, wrist problems and carpal tunnel. The worst cortisone shot I've ever had was in the wrist for the carpal, the elbow isn't very pleasant either.
As Terry said it is important to get him into someone that can make a proper diagnoses, I believe I waited to long on my hands and they still give me a fit even after surgery.

Thanks Dale, sorry to hear about your condition that sure is painful, i did not have a chance to see my Dad today yet but i hope he let them know how bad it really is for him, i will inquire tonight and let you know what happened!

Thanks

Serge