Question
Hello,

I am a very active person...I have always played sports and/or lifted weights at the gym and I am currently training to run a half marathon.  About a year ago I noticed that my left ring finger and pinky would tingle sometimes when I was lifting weights at the gym. I asked my primary care and they said it was just some inflammation due to overuse and to give it a rest for a little.  Well for about the past 6 months the tingling feeling has gotten worse in my two fingers and sometimes it burns some and I get tingling across the palm of my hand and slight pain on the top of my forearm, elbow and shoulder. I also have had tendonitus issues in the same elbow for years, which I suspect could be causing this issue.  I have been seeing an orthopedic surgeon who ran a nerve test and he said all my nerve functioning was nervous but through an examination he said that it is an irritated ulnar nerve and the site of the irritation is my elbow.  He suggested some things such as taking it easy at the gym with pulling exercises and not to lean on things.  For about the past month or so I have been taking his advice and I changed my work area around because I sit at a computer all day, to make sure that I am my arms are straighter when typing and that I am not leaning on the desk.  It has helped slightly and the symptoms have not gotten worse and maybe even slightly better.  In addition, when I run I find that it makes my elbow sore and it feels like the nerve is popping in and out of the groove.  I am supposed to see the doctor again in about a month and I have a feeling that he is going to suggest surgery, which I do not want unless there is no other option.  I have also researched it a lot online but everything for ulnar nerve irritation just says to keep your arm straight and rest it.  

Is there exercises that I can do to help this heal?  Why does it hurt when I run? And is the pain in my shoulder just referred pain or could it be something else? Anything advice would help. Thank you

Answer
Without a proper exam it would be a little difficult to diagnose, but it sounds as if there is a repetitive stress disorder at the elbow, affecting the ulna.  A visit to a good chiropractor, that deals with extremities and soft tissue injuries, should be able to bring you a solution.