Pinched Nerve In Shoulder And Weakness In Ring Finger
Pinched Nerve In Shoulder
And Weakness In Ring Finger |
|
The following post from our
Muscle Atrophy & Ulnar Nerve Damage page is from a woman whose
hand has weakness in her ring finger from a pinched nerve in her shoulder. She
is wondering what she can do.
Pinched
Nerve In Shoulder And Weakness In Ring Finger
|
|
Date: 02/07/2011 |
Submitted by: Wendy |
| |
|
|
Was very interested to read your story as I have had
the same experience. Fourteen years ago after
surgery to remove an ovarian cyst I experienced a
severe migraine whilst in recovery. After that I
lost strength in the 'pointer' finger of my left
hand - I couldn't spray my deodorant. When I
mentioned this to my surgeon he didn't seem to think
there was any connection. Over the next seven years
the muscle in my left hand wasted away then, when I
became pregnant the doc said I had carpal tunnel. A
specialist said it wasn't carptal tunnel and I was
sent to a neurologist for testing. (Horrible!) He
said I "probably" had a
pinched nerve in my shoulder and said I could
have surgery to prevent further damage although it
would not help the damage that was already done.
Just recently I have noticed further weakening in my
ring finger and would like to try the exercises you
mention. Can you describe the exercises or do I need
to see a physio? Thank you, Wendy
|
| |
RESPONSE
|
|
| Date: 02/07/2011 |
Submitted by:
Tanner |
| |
|
|
|
I assume when you say "Horrible" about the
testing at the neurologist your talking about when
they stick the electrodes into you arm and hand and
turn on the juice. I agree, parts of that test were
less than enjoyable.
Did they do a MRI to determine your pinched nerve in
your shoulder? I would have thought that a MRI would
be necessary before they could determine the cause
of your problem and before suggesting surgery.
I can't tell you whether to go or not go to a
physical therapist. All I can tell you is what I did
with regard to exercises. I tried to use common
sense and gave particular attention to the areas
that were my greatest concerns (for me my
neck/shoulder area and my hands). Repetition and
consistency of exercises was the key for me.
Suggestions:
Sleeping - Research and find/determine the best
sleeping position for your condition and make sure
you sleep that way.
Sleeping in the wrong position can aggravate your
problem. Prop yourself with pillows to configure
your body for sleeping. If needed, get some ace
bandages and loosely wrap them around your arms to
help keep them straight
when you sleep at night.
Nutrition - Research which foods and supplements are
the best for muscle and nerve building and make sure
you eat nutritiously.
Exercise - Do a lot of stretching exercises. Try to
build up the muscles in your shoulders, neck, arms
and hands. Do aerobic exercises for general fitness.
Use light weight dumbbells.
These are the exercises that I did/do.
1. When I watch TV I pull/stretch my weak fingers.
Bend them back as far as they go and hold for as
long as you can.
2. When I watch TV I hold my arms over and behind my
head. For me I find this necessary for long periods
of stationary sitting. It is also more comfortable
and provides a stretching action for my arms, neck
and shoulders.
3. For my hand/fingers.
- bend over and get into the position of doing
finger tip pushups (or as close as you can come to
it with weak hands). Hold that position for as long
as possible. Repeat throughout the day.
- pull/stretch my weak fingers. Bend them back as
far as they go and hold for as long as you can. I do
this throughout the day.
- exercise your fingers with one of those spring
hand exercise devices to build strength. Squeeze a
rubber ball repeatedly, hold onto dumbbells for 15
minutes at a time, and do anything you can think of
to increase the strength
and dexterity of you hand and fingers
- hand shaking (vigorously)
4. For my shoulders and neck.
- do any type of stretches that you can think of
including head turns, neck twists, body twists, arm
twirls, act..
- I would do about 45 minutes of continual
stretching, body twists and arm twirls to music each
day to condition and strengthen my neck and
shoulders.
- use light weight dumbbells with your exercises.
Just holding onto them
with help your hand/fingers and
stretching/exercising with them will help build up
strength.
That's all I can think of right now. Hope that
helps. Good luck.
Tanner
Follow-Up
Thank you for replying so quickly. I will follow
your advice and hopefully improve,or at least
prevent deterioration of, the strength in my
fingers/hand. Cheers Wendy
|
| |
Have Anything To Add? Give Us Your Comments!
Or visit us at..
Muscle Atrophy & Ulnar Nerve Damage.
Tags: Pinched Nerve In Shoulder And
Weakness In Ring Finger, Nerve Damage, Muscle Loss, Ulnar Nerve, Muscle Atrophy
