squashed nerve?

[shockers jane]

I think I might have squashed my ulnar nerve in my left hand. I went for a 45mile ride 2 days ago and I'd moved my saddle (messing around trying to sort out my saddle bag) and not realigned it right. I always wear gloves (padded -Scott contessa) anyway about 30 miles in I started getting neck ache, badly, another few miles and I lost all strength in my left hand. No tingling or pins & needles just total loss of ability to push the gear levers. (Made the ride interesting.... changing my left gears with my right hand... )
Anyway 2 days on my hand is generally weak, fine motor function is fluffy at best, I can't put pressure on anything with that hand (such as using a fork, washing my self, squeezing tooth paste etc) my pinky and ring finger dont seem to want to straighten either.... the hand will weight bear and I can pull with it
Anyone else experienced this? How long did it last?
Thanks
SJ

 

[shockers jane]

Thanks for the reply.. bike is currently in the local very nice bike shop. They have adjusted the saddle and have ordered a shorter head stem. (I was fitted when I purchased the bike too. ) they stuck me on the bike on a turbo trainer to check the fit.
I'm hoping for a swift recovery but had

 

[vickster]

I gave myself tennis elbow cycling...needed surgery in the end

If it doesn't improve, see a sports physio, could be linked to neck or anything

 

[cyberknight]

If in doubt see a doctor rather than relying on the generally well meaning but anecdotal replies on here with something like this.
I did the same nerve in over a year ago and had to have physio and its flared up again so i cant sleep as i wake up with bad tingling in the hand that settles after an hour or so but its got a lot worse over the last week or so .Theres still a slight tingling feeling in the hand now
Back to the doctors on Monday .

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

My first tour left me with a totally numb left hand (previous issues already existed) that took around 6 months to sort itself out. My consultant at the time did not want to do yet another operation on my left hand (it has already had 11 ops), so after the nerve conduction test came back, nature was allowed to take its course and it recovered of its own accord. It still periodically goes numb, like last night when I woke up to find it totally the little finger and ring finger totally number yet again. It is also very good at reminding me to be careful with my hand position on my road bike...

Talk with your GP, but if it is improving I suspect they may only want physio. Also keep straightening those fingers of yours using your other hand, and stretching the ligaments/muscles and tendons. You do not want to let them shorten permanently and any physio will thank you for keeping them flexed and straightening them - it will make recovery a lot quicker.

 

[shockers jane]

If in doubt see a doctor rather than relying on the generally well meaning but anecdotal replies on here with something like this.
I did the same nerve in over a year ago and had to have physio and its flared up again so i cant sleep as i wake up with bad tingling in the hand that settles after an hour or so but its got a lot worse over the last week or so .Theres still a slight tingling feeling in the hand now
Back to the doctors on Monday .

Sorry to here that.
If its no better by next week I'll seek professional advice.

 

[shockers jane]

SatNavSaysStraightOn... I was going to masking tape the fingers to a book last night to keep them straight over night.... I couldn't find anything else to use (I could of eaten two magnum ice creams to get to the sticks but I thought that was a bit extreme )

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

SatNavSaysStraightOn... I was going to masking tape the fingers to a book last night to keep them straight over night.... I couldn't find anything else to use (I could of eaten two magnum ice creams to get to the sticks but I thought that was a bit extreme )

just sit and straighten them as often as you can with your other hand and generally move them around, that should be fine. Fingers are used to being relaxed when you sleep... It is the daytime use that you need to 'simulate' to prevent permanent issues. (been there, done that). you will also find that your hand touching those fingers will trigger the sensory thingies (sorry rather tired now) and keep them stimulated as well which will help to prevent any long term issues which I ended up with...

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

and I should point out that your aim is to maintain the moment you normally have rather than anything else, just prevent deterioration not increase flexibility if you follow me. (and as always the usual, I'm not medically qualified applies. sorry to have to put that in, but... )

 

[shockers jane]

I shall take your advice as just that.. advice from a fellow cyclist... and if its not better I'll harass my GP.
Thank you for your responses.
SJ

 

[midliferider]

I think I might have squashed my ulnar nerve in my left hand. I went for a 45mile ride 2 days ago and I'd moved my saddle (messing around trying to sort out my saddle bag) and not realigned it right. I always wear gloves (padded -Scott contessa) anyway about 30 miles in I started getting neck ache, badly, another few miles and I lost all strength in my left hand. No tingling or pins & needles just total loss of ability to push the gear levers. (Made the ride interesting.... changing my left gears with my right hand... )
Anyway 2 days on my hand is generally weak, fine motor function is fluffy at best, I can't put pressure on anything with that hand (such as using a fork, washing my self, squeezing tooth paste etc) my pinky and ring finger dont seem to want to straighten either.... the hand will weight bear and I can pull with it
Anyone else experienced this? How long did it last?
Thanks
SJ

I am quite surprised that you have not still not sought medical advice starting with the GP. You need to do that asap. For that matter, a good one as well.
Your problem is not confined to ulnar nerve. You lost strength of the whole hand. That means the damage was not confined to the ulnar nerve.
Lack of tingling and pins and needles indicates that nerve is no longer just irritated.
You have lost both motor and sensory function.
My assessment is that you have damaged your nerves supplying the hand at much higher levels. It could even be at the cervical level, when the nerves are just emerging from the canal or may be bit lower at arm pit levels, cervical plexus.
Go and see a doctor.