Is It Safe for Me to Return to the Gym? (17M)
I’ll share the full story to clarify my situation. My primary aim is to return to the gym, which has been a significant hurdle for me. For approximately three months, I’ve been experiencing numbness in the right side of my palm, particularly around the pinky and the area below it. This is due to a diagnosis indicating swelling and irregular soft tissue near the left ulnar nerve within the cubital tunnel. Initially, I consulted a general practitioner (GP), who advised me to refrain from gym workouts for about a month, along with wearing a wrist brace. After that month passed, with no alleviation of the symptoms, I sought a second opinion from a different doctor. He pointed out that the brace previously recommended was unsuitable and suggested I actually needed one for my elbow instead. His advice was to either wear the new brace for a month or consider receiving a steroid injection, guided by an ultrasound. He preferred the injection route, stating it would likely relieve my symptoms in a few days, allowing me to gradually return to the gym, provided I was cautious with tricep exercises. He implied that I could continue gym visits during this period but needed to modify my elbow and tricep movements while focusing on maintaining proper technique. Recently, I had the steroid (cortisone) injection, and although the numbness persists a bit, the medical staff reassured me that this is typical. They recommended a period of 48 hours of rest afterward, which I have adhered to. Now, I’m eager to know if I’m cleared to hit the gym again and start lifting weights. P.S. Feel free to ask if you have any further questions for me!
Answers (1)
6/22/2025, 1:50:36 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's great to see your determination to return to the gym after dealing with your recent health concerns. The situation with your ulnar nerve issue can be complex, and it’s important to approach your return to exercise carefully.
Main Points:
- You can likely return to the gym gradually, but modifications are crucial.
- Prioritize rest and listen to your body to avoid exacerbating your symptoms.
- Focus on exercises that don’t strain your elbow until you regain full strength and sensation.
Explanation:
You've been dealing with numbness due to ulnar nerve irritation, which can affect your grip and strength, particularly involving the pinky side of your hand. Following the recent cortisone injection, it’s common to still have some lingering symptoms for a short time. However, your doctor’s advice to modify your routine is key to preventing further irritation.
Next Steps:
-
Rest and Recovery: Since you've just had a steroid injection, respect the recommended 48 hours of rest. After that, begin with light, non-strenuous activities to gauge your comfort level.
-
Modify Your Workouts: When you return, avoid heavy tricep or elbow-intensive exercises initially. Focus on low-impact activities and strength training that minimizes strain on the affected area. This can include:
- Lower body workouts (like squats and lunges).
- Core exercises.
- Upper body workouts that don’t heavily involve the elbow, like seated rows or shoulder presses with very light weights.
-
Pay Attention to Symptoms: Monitor how your body responds. If numbness increases or you experience pain, it’s important to stop that activity and consult your doctor.
-
Technique Focus: As you resume working out, concentrate on proper form and techniques, avoiding jerky or sudden movements that could stress your elbow.
-
Gradual Progression: Slowly increase intensity and weights as you feel more comfortable. Listen to your body and adjust your workouts accordingly.
Feel free to reach out if you have any further concerns or need clarification on specific exercises. Prioritizing your health while working toward your fitness goals is essential!
Related Questions
Worries About Laboratory Results
Hello all. I'm a 32-year-old male weighing approximately 210 pounds and standing at 5 feet 11 inches with a muscular physique. Lately, I've been experiencing severe constipation. On the same day I performed a colon cleanse, I also underwent some blood tests. The results were mostly normal, but my AST level was reported at 38, and my Ferritin level was at 391. In addition to the constipation issues, I’ve been dealing with migraines, nausea, and a lightheaded sensation. Does anyone have insights on what might be causing this or what I should do next?
Inquiry About Childhood Chiropractic Experience
Hello Reddit! I’m reaching out to share something that occurred during my early teenage years, specifically when I was approximately 12 to 14 years old. I’m currently 25. (Female) To give you a brief overview, there was an incident when I was leaning down at my locker, and all of a sudden, my neck locked to one side. I was completely unable to move it back into its normal position, which caused me significant discomfort. My father decided it would be best to take me to a chiropractor, and while that did help somewhat, the pain was still quite severe. Additionally, I noticed a peculiar smell lingering for about a week post-visit. This episode repeated itself a few months later, with the same painful experience and that odd smell following the chiropractic adjustment. Since those occurrences, I've only encountered similar issues twice. On those occasions, instead of seeing a chiropractor, I opted for hospital treatment, where I received muscle relaxants that didn’t leave me with the strange odor or intense pain. However, I’ve been dealing with ongoing soreness in my right shoulder, and it seems to easily get strained. My head also tends to lean to one side quite noticeably. I’m curious to know what might have caused the neck stiffening, the severe pain, and that unusual smell following my chiropractic visits as a child. Could choosing chiropractic care over medical attention have led to any long-term repercussions?
Are Comprehensive Physical Examinations on the Decline?
Recently, I visited my primary care physician for my annual check-up. Upon arrival, the doctor briefly inquired about my health and conducted a quick assessment by listening to my heart and breathing. To my surprise, he concluded with a simple, "Everything looks good, see you next year!" What happened to the thorough physical examinations that once included a complete assessment, like the traditional checks of reflexes and other vital signs? This experience left me questioning the purpose of my primary care doctor. At 37 years of age, standing at 6 feet tall and residing in the United States, I find myself wondering if such brief consultations are becoming the norm. Why do we even maintain relationships with primary care physicians if such abbreviated visits are standard?
Should I Get a Second Opinion About This Lump?
**Breast Ultrasound Report:** **Findings for the Right Breast:** The breast consists of typical fibro-fatty glandular tissue. A distinct hypoechoic mass has been identified at the 7 o’clock position, measuring 1.6 cm by 0.5 cm. This lesion does not show any signs of disrupting nearby structures or causing ductal dilation. Additionally, a color Doppler assessment reveals no notable blood flow within this area. There are no indications of calcifications or distortions within the architecture of the breast. The skin appears normal without signs of thickening or nipple inversion, and there is no duct dilation present. Several lymph nodes within the axillary region appear normal, with the largest measuring 1.7 cm by 0.6 cm. **Findings for the Left Breast:** The glandular tissue in the left breast is also normal. There are no abnormal masses, calcifications, or architectural irregularities detected. Similar to the right breast, there is no skin thickening or inversion of the nipple, nor any duct dilation. A few axillary lymph nodes are evident, with one measuring 1.6 cm by 0.5 cm, all appearing benign. **Conclusion:** The findings in the right breast point towards benign characteristics, likely indicating a fibroadenoma (BIRADS-II classification). The left breast shows a normal scan, while benign-appearing lymph nodes are noted bilaterally in the axillary regions. It is recommended to correlate clinically and consider follow-up sonography for more comprehensive evaluation.
An Extended Nosebleed Incident
I experienced a nosebleed that lasted approximately half an hour and was considering a trip to the emergency room. Fortunately, it ceased just prior to my decision, and I have not encountered any further bleeding in the last twenty minutes. I am a 36-year-old female with a medical history that includes asthma, Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), and Hashimoto's disease. Currently, I am on a regimen that includes an estradiol patch, progesterone, Armour thyroid, and ProAir. Given that the bleeding has stopped completely, I wonder what actions medical professionals might have taken if I had sought their help. Additionally, I’m unsure how to upload any images related to this incident.