I have been experiencing pain in my right elbow for many years. When it first started, I went to the doctor and she told me that I had tennis elbow and couldn't do anything about it. (That same doctor misdiagnosed me about something else and I haven't been back to her since.) But, I've basically been ignoring the ache because I thought there wasn't anything I could do about it. Recently, I've started having pain in my ring and pinky finger on that hand. When I sleep, my hands automatically curl up into a tight ball, causing even more pain. I finally got the courage to talk to my (newer) doctor (physician's assistant) who sent me to the orthopedic specialist. He, in turn, sent me to the neurologist who did some tests and confirmed what the orthopedist thought -- my ulnar nerve "rolls" and becomes entrapped.

He recommends surgery, which will leave me in a cast for 10 days. He said he will move the nerve so that it can't roll. Frankly, I'm a bit terrified. It's my right arm, I'm right handed, and this is an important nerve we are talking about.

Anyone have any experience/insight/words of wisdom on this for me?