Training & Nutrition - Ulnar Nerve Damage??

I've been doing a lot of long-distance cycling. Probably about 1,000 more miles than last year at this time (4,000). I've completed about 7 centuries. Sometimes my fingers would get numb, then after shifting hand positions, the problem would go away. Earlier this week I rode a 50 mile on Tue, 106 on Wed, 105 on Thurs. My pinky and ring fingers on both hands are still partially numb. I don't want to do permanent damage, so I bought some aerobars yesterday. I looked up ulnar nerve on Google and found that it is the nerve in the elbow. One website recommended keeping the elbow straight. So, my question is, should I abstain from riding on the aerobars? How long should I wait until I go to the doctor? If my only alternative is surgery, I have plenty of time. Could I have bruised the nerve from the palms of the hand? Should I ice my palms, or use heat or massage?

Hi,
you need to see a Doctor. I have had what I believe is the same thing. It's like carpal tunnel, cause by inflammation in the wrist. Give it some rest, ice it a couple times a day, take 4 Advil with breakfast and dinner, see a Doc.

So, my question is, should I abstain from riding on the aerobars?

You may have cubital tunnel syndrome or ulnar tunnel syndrome. The problem may be ulnar nerve compression either at the elbow or wrist. If it is due to the wrist, (ulnar tunnel) then the aerobars will be good.

If it is at the elbow, (cubital tunnel syndrome), then aerobars may not help.....get thee to a doc!


see for ulnar tunnel syndrome http://www.dochand.com/7A4d2a_index.html

also for cubital tunnel syndrome http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/hw007.htm

With that kind of mileage, you need to change your screen name. You're no longer "outashape"!

Outashape-

When I do rides like what you do, I find that I have the same problem- I think my hands just get so stressed from holding onto the handlebars for so long during so many training rides in a row that I sometimes need a couple of days before I get back to normal. I find that massaging the hands help, and I also rub a bit of ben-gay over the muscles of the hand. That seems to help. If worse comes to worse, spend time icing the hand down and alternate the icing with heat. Like following the RICE method on your off days.

If that doesn't work, I would then go and see a doctor. I don't think there should be a need to worry until you get a reason to worry and you've tried other methods first. It could be the most expensive lesson on RICE you'll ever get from a doctor!

Good luck.

Koffee

Frequently changing hand positions will help alleviate these problems. Avoid getting into one comfortable zone and staying there forever. Finde several different positions you like and swap every ten minutes or so or more often.

Ride elbows bent for a while and straight for a while. Shake your arms out every onbce and A while. get out of the saddle once every 15-20 minutes for about 20-40 pedal strokes. Be creative. Sit up and ride no handed from time to time if you can balance yourself. I actually rode over 8 miles once without touching the handle bars. It felt good on the quads and gave me a different workout.

Every time I experience numbness or pain I always realize it is due to staying in that position for too long.

I had bilateral tennis elbow developing in '00, when I was finishing up my 3d
yr at 7500+ mi/yr, a good bit less than what you are doing. I started riding a recumbent and now spend about half my time on the bent, the other half on
a regular road bike. The tennis elbow problem completely disappeared by the end of '00. No matter where your ulnar N problem derives from I suspect it would resolve with a recumbent. Bents have their own problems but stress
related upper extremity and neck problems are not part of the list. Any athletic activity taken to the level you describe is associated with wear and tear problems, the runners have discovered this long ago and their discussion groups are full of people who had to curtail for this reason. You may have a surgical condition but it almost certainly relates to high time on the bike. Consider an alternative. (I still miss those 80-90mi days). Steve

Thanks everyone for your help. I do move my hands frequently when I ride. I think the last couple of rides though, there was a stong headwind and I rode in the drops. My fingers have been numb for over a week when I am not on the bike. I rode 125 miles yesterday with aerobars. Loved them, my butt is not one bit sore. I did not ride in the drops, and diligently tried to keep my wrists straight. The numbness is the same as before the ride. I would like to ride a bent, but I am afraid that cars will not see me and my favorite riding is long rides in the country by myself. I am still out of town, but I get back, I will try ice and heat. I'll stop at the store and pick up some bengay.