Oh my gosh, thank you so much for all this information. I am now going out to each website link and downloading the articles so I can print them. I can't thank you enough for all this advice. I need to start making some telephone calls because neither of the surgeons I spoke with suggested any type of block. However, the neurologist I spoke with yesterday did mention I needed to have a block of some sort, he just did not know what type would be best nor where to call. Gosh, just researching, calling doctors and going to appointments can be a full-time job. It is so draining.

I am so glad that the informations helped you. Good luck with everything and please keep in touch. I had a Guanethidine nerve block in July and it caused me to "Lose my balance" ALWAYS talk to your doctor about the side effects of the nerve block etc. Many blocks can be really good especially the epidural nerve block.
Thanks again

Jo55, my first ulnar nerve surgery was in November 2006. I had been having pain and numbness in my forearm and ring finger for 3-4 years but I also kept telling the doctor that my shoulder hurt and that I could reproduce the pain when I bent my head forward. I had also had a frozen shoulder on the same side in 2000. So I am completely open to the possibility of TOS. I am also starting to experience many of the same symptoms of the other side. Any yes, my problems started after years of computer use and a "head foreward" type of posture. I have a very thin, long neck and weak upper body so I wonder of TOS could be playing a huge factor in this.

As for my story - The surgeon was surprised when he got into the area because he did not find the ulnar nerve to be compressed in the boney tunnel as expected but instead found that the nerve was very inflammed. He moved my nerve subcutaneously but I woke up during the surgery and told him it hurt like crazy. He asked "where" and I told him above the elbow about half-way up my arm. He said that was not possible because I had a tournequet on the arm. He instructed the anesthesiologist to "give me more juice." When I awoke from surgery I could feel burning pain in the area dispite the nerve block I was given. It got much worse in the weeks and months that followed so a second EMG was done. It showed a new compression about two inches above the elbow.

I also had extreme swelling, temperature changes, burning pain (level 10) and stiffness after that first surgery. In April 2007 I had a second surgery to release the new compression. I was partially awake for part of that surgery and even through the block I could feel the relief when the nerve was freed. Unfortunately, the undetected RSD (from the first surgery) became much worse and it was officially diagnosed five weeks later.

I kept hoping it would just go away on its own but after a full year of this, I now am beginning to realize I need to become proactive in dealing with this disease.

Hi Coffeebean,

Just wanted to jump on and say it looks like you have received a lot of good information. I am glad to see you here and posting and I will stay in touch. Hang in there! :)