I'm getting very confused. Update on SSD and Drs. and questions

[kissygoose]

First off I have my hearing March 7th. I'm nervous and seriously doubt I'll get it. But I have to try.

I also saw a new Neurologist today. I switched because I was fed up with my old one and wanted to find one closer. So I sent in my paperwork to have all my reccords transfered for my appt and of course they weren't there. The new dr. tryed to do as much as he could without them though. thebottom line is that he thinks I have a frozen shoulder and is sending me to an Orthopedist. I see him next month. He is also running the EMG again. He said though that with my right hand being my dominant one that if I do have carpel tunnel and ulnar nerve damage (which he agrees I do) that we should do something for it if we can (this is more than what the others were saying). He also mentioned a pain specialists but because he doesn't have all my records wants to hold off till I see the Ortho and get all my tests up to date.

One thing that really set me off was where carpel tunnel was concerned that it affected different fingers. My old dr. told me it affected the middle finger through the pinky and told me the pain in my thumb was the ulnar nerve. This new guy told me the exact opposite. I'm going to look it up on the web.

Anyway, what is a frozen shoulder and how does it affect us? Is there any treatment?

[Beckyerin]

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a problem with the median nerve. It causes symptoms in the thumb, middle, and one half of your ring finger that is closest to your middle finger as well as the muscles in the thumb because these are the areas it innervates. A big cause of CTS is repetitive flexing of the wrist

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a problem with your ulnar nerve. If you have this you would experience symtoms in your pinky and one half of your ring finger closet to your pinky. Also in your palm near your pinky. A big cause of this is repetitive flexing of your elbow

Frozen shoulder has to do with your shoulder joint. Surounding this joint(other joints too) is something called a joint capsule which is like a protective layer that contains fluid. Sometimes this capsule will get contracted and scar tissue will form which in turn restricts movement.
If you google hand innervation you should be able to find a picture that illustrates the nerve distribution of the hand in case I have not explained well enough.
I hope this helps,
Becky

[Beckyerin]

Here are some adresses for diagrams of the median and ulnar nerves(I googled the phrase median and ulnar nerve) I'm sorry I'm not sure how to make them links on this message board

http://www.microsurgeon.org/median_nerve.htm

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_repo ... tegory=Arm

Becky

[kissygoose]

Thanks Becky. You've just told me more than my old Neuro has in over a year. He also told me there was nothing they could do about the ulnar nerve but the link you gave me says there are some options. It apears that I have both ulnar and median nerve damage in my right hand. As I will be seing the orthopedist about the frozen shoulder next month I'll be sure to ask him about the ulnar nerve as well.

I still can't beleive my old dr. told me that it was the other way. It's unbelevable that a neurologist would get that wrong. I am losing all faith in doctors.

[Beckyerin]

I know you had some frustrating experiences with doctors, but they are not all bad!
A good doctor should be able to explain how the nerves in your arm work. I think you just need to hang on until you find the right one.
I know some stuff about the upper extremity as I am finishing OT school and we study the arm and hand a bunch so if you have questions feel free to email me and I will help you if I can.
Becky

[kissygoose]

What gets me Becky, is that my last Neuro told me that the Ulnar nerve controlled the thumb through middle finger and that carpel tunnel was in the half of the middle through the pinky. Now tell me why a Neurologist would get that wrong?

[Kath]

Hi Kissy

Please print out a few copies of the change made to the Disability Blue Book and give it to you lawyer and bring it to your hearing.

It is important and most people are not aware of the change made after we attended the SSA Disability meeting in 2005. This is a big change when it comes to SSD and bpi injured.

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/POMS.NSF/lnx/0424580030

Kath robpi/adult

[Beckyerin]

He should probably know that basic stuff, but my guess is that your last neuro was really good with the brain and spinal cord but had forgotton his brachial plexus knowledge.
Not an excuse, but you don't have to be a dr to learn about the brachial plexus. You can study it up yourself. I had to but I'm glad I did because I know so much more about my injury than ever before.
BEcky