Nothing so bad as that. Feel  your pain. I have a trapped ulnar nerve
in my left elbow, and if I forget myself and turn it wrong or grip
something wrong then turn it, I get this blinding shooting pain down
through my left arm into my left ring finger and between my ring finger
and middle finger. It renders me totally incapactated the pain is so
excruciating. It takes a while before I can even move my fingers after
such an episode. The Docs want to "relocate" the nerve, but nobody I've
talked to who has had that done is happy with the results. Also leaves a
7 inch scar on the inside of the elbow and forearm.

Ain't none of these procedures fun. This last Wednesday I had fourteen
special steroid shots in the middle of my chest to relieve problems with
keloids resulting from chest surgery. Nope - no fun at all, these things.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com

On 4/15/2011 9:53 PM, Mister Tom wrote:
> I wonder if any other Vanagon pilots have gone through shoulder replacement?
> I did a year ago and it still hurts like Hades to shift. Once I get my hand
> up to the shifter knob, first to second is not bad. For second to third or
> second to first I've been reaching through the wheel with my left arm. This
> really sucks.
>
> I've probably driven the Syncro a whole 100 miles this year.
>
> Osteo arthritis claimed all the cartilage in the right shoulder and both big
> toes. Had the left hallux fused this year and I'm scheduled to have the
> right one done on Tuesday. "Officially" no driving for 8 weeks. Did I
> mention this really sucks?
>
> Tom Salicos
> '87 Syncro Westy EG-33
>
>