Ulnar nerve pain?
#1
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Ulnar nerve pain?
I think that's what the problem is. I've dealt with it on the bicycle off and on over the years with some mild numbness in my hands. Now I seem to have pinched or somehow made that nerve mad. I've been dealing with neuropathy and the associated pain in my right arm for about 10 days now. Ibuprophen and Ice help. The ice helps a lot actually. Any other tips or tricks? I'm going to see the Doc next week about it. Thanks
#2
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In the past few weeks, I've been messing with the saddle height and handlebar position. I seem to be very sensitive to how the bar is rotated, whether level or slightly rotated down, depending on the position of the saddle. If the bar is below the saddle, it needs to be level. If even with the saddle, then the handle bar needs to rotate up a bit. These preferences are what suits me but your preferences may be opposite. As always, reducing weight on hands is a plus. Moving the saddle forward or aft changes the angle of the wrists with the bar and the amount of weight on the bar. My only suggestion is to be aware of the angle of your wrists with the hanflebar and good luck.
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#3
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Thanks berner, I've always heard "the older the rider the higher stack." I'll see what the Doc says on Thursday. I'm leaning toward carpal tunnel. The pain really kicks in when I sit down at work and reach for the mouse so I started changing the ergos at the office last Friday.
#4
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Different handlebar grips or wraps may help. I've mostly been able to do without gloves, other than for protection from weather or abrasion. But I don't need gloves with extra padding.
Ergonomic grips with palm/wrist supports help me on my hybrid with swept, riser and flat bars. Ergon with locking collars may be the best.
And on my road bikes usually foam type wraps help but the most comfortable bar wrap I've tried is Arundel Synth Gecko, 100% silicone. It's odd stuff, reusable, rubbery with no adhesive, but grips to itself well. It's easy to wrap, but not easy to wrap where it looks like conventional bar wrap. It tends to look a bit meaty, or like a gooseneck lamp stalk. Comfortable, though. I tried it for a couple of weeks, then switched to plain black foam wrap, but plan to go back to the Synth Gecko soon. Don't even need gloves with it.
Ergonomic grips with palm/wrist supports help me on my hybrid with swept, riser and flat bars. Ergon with locking collars may be the best.
And on my road bikes usually foam type wraps help but the most comfortable bar wrap I've tried is Arundel Synth Gecko, 100% silicone. It's odd stuff, reusable, rubbery with no adhesive, but grips to itself well. It's easy to wrap, but not easy to wrap where it looks like conventional bar wrap. It tends to look a bit meaty, or like a gooseneck lamp stalk. Comfortable, though. I tried it for a couple of weeks, then switched to plain black foam wrap, but plan to go back to the Synth Gecko soon. Don't even need gloves with it.
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If your symptoms are in your arm as well as your hand, it may be cubital tunnel syndrome. If it is, the ulnar nerve gets pinched as it enters the cubital tunnel, just distal to the elbow. It is commonly due to people who keep their elbows bent, like when using a smart phone like a computer. You can begin treating it by wearing a brace to keep your elbow straight when you can... when relaxing, sleeping or such. I made one myself with an 18-22" 1 X 2 piece of wood and an ace bandage to gently hold it in place. It helped. I also don't keep my elbows flexed as much when I ride. My shoulders had to get used to the extra pressure, but it worked.
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The first thing is to read the Numb Hands post. Then see if you have too much weight on your hands. Can you briefly take both hands off the bars while riding while not sliding forward on the saddle? If you can't, move the saddle back until you can.
While you're messing with that, do these exercises: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises
several times/day. See if you can get it fixed before you see the doc.
While you're messing with that, do these exercises: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises
several times/day. See if you can get it fixed before you see the doc.
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