Right ulnar neuropathy →[More:] Say what?

As a follow-up to my previous post, I have a pinched nerve in my right arm. Specifically the ulnar nerve (correctly diagnosed on IRC by lysdexic, thank you). If you look at this image, everything that's in light blue (on the hand, not up by the shoulder) is numb with occasional tingling. I also have weakness in the hand and my grip is suffering. I don't drop big things, but small fiddly things like keys are a real bitch (add that to the fact that most doors are set up for righties and also that there's over 2' of snow on the ground and you have a lot of time spent searching for dropped keys).

I had a nerve conduction test and an EMG to localize the problem, so hopefully I'll know soon exactly where the pinch is. I'm supposed to start PT ASAP and get retested in 6 weeks. I also have to consult with a hand surgeon to get an idea whether surgery will be necessary. Hopefully, once I know where the problem is, we can sort it out with PT. I didn't need surgery to pinch the nerve, so I shouldn't need it to unpinch the damn thing.

The nerve conduction test is quite an ordeal. I usually pride myself on being a good patient and submitting quietly to whatever testing, procedures, or needles are necessary. But wow. The nurse* who did my initial exam came in and asked if I was cured yet. I said, "I'm cured of any curiousity I had about sticking a fork in an electrical socket." The neurologist said he had to turn the current up so high because nothing was getting through. =(

* Cute nurse was cute. And flirty. And married. And flirty. She saw my toenails (which still have the holiday red and green polish on them) and I think that's what set her off. Ladies love a man who knows the value of a decent pedicure. Or something. "They come a-runnin' just as fast as they can. Every girl's crazy 'bout a sparkley-toed man."

This is post #400 for me. I apologize for nothing.