Newsgroups: rec.aviation.student
From: trisoft@realtime.net (James M. Knox)
Subject: Re: HELP! Medical question!
Organization: TriSoft/CyberSearch
References: <36C26B7F.D25D0393@ix.netcom.com>
X-Newsreader: News Xpress 2.01
Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 14:38:43 GMT
NNTP-Posting-Host: tscs.tscs.com
Message-ID: <36c2eb1e.0@feed1.realtime.net>
Lines: 32
X-Authenticated-User: trisoft
Path: news.jprc.com!dca1-feed2.news.digex.net!digex!news1.radix.net!tor-nx1.netcom.ca!sunqbc.risq.qc.ca!nntp.giganews.com!feed1.realtime.net!trisoft
Xref: news.jprc.com rec.aviation.student:46902

In article <36C26B7F.D25D0393@ix.netcom.com>, Craig Cameron <cwcam@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>Hi everyone,
>
>I just started flying and noticed after about 1 1/2 hours in the plane,
>my forearm and wrist feel as if they are asleep.  I trim often, so I am
>sure it is not muscle fatigue.  Has anyone else experienced this weird
>thing?  My doctor says he has no clue of what may be causing it, and has
>approved my health as fine.  Any responses would be greatly appreciated!

Sounds exactly like some form of tunnel syndrome.  Probably not carpal, since 
your forearm is affected (carpal tunnel syndrome affects primarily the hand 
and fingers, radiating inward).  Most likely it's that one in the wrist (don't 
have my books handy and can't remember the name at the moment).

If so, and it sure sounds like it, the most immediate solution is a change in 
your arm position - especially the angle between your upper and lower arm.  
Several things to try (and you probably will have to "experiement" until you 
find the best solution).

1.  Check the position of your hands on the yoke.  Can you hold it a little 
differently?  

2.  Are your elbows "out" or "in" more than one would expect?

3.  Try raising or lowering your seat (a cushion may be necessary).  And, at 
the risk of sounding like  your mother, check your posture.

4.  If you are resting your elbow on the arm rest, try adding a folded towel 
on the armrest to give a little lift and a little more padding.  [Or try NOT 
resting it on there for a while.]

                                                        jmk
