This afternoon I'm scheduled for a minor surgical procedure to relieve some pressure on the nerves in my Left elbow.
For several years now I've been slowing losing the sense of feel in two fingers of my Left hand, the 'ring' finger and little finger next to it. The doctor says that he doesn't think that there's been any permanent nerve damage, at least not yet, since testing shows that I've not lost any dexterity nor strength in the two fingers, just most of the tactile sensation.
What they're going to do is open-up the 'channel' in the elbow where the nerve bundle passes and move/reduce some of the ligaments so as to 'un-compress' the nerves.
This will be my first experience with a new orthopedic surgeon as my old one retired a couple of years ago (after having had four opportunities to cut into my body, all of which worked out OK). And while this procedure is considered minor and is being done on an out-patient basis at a surgical center rather than a hospital (after all, hospitals are full of sick people), it will still be done under a general anesthetic. If all goes well, I should be home by 5:00pm. I'll provide an update, perhaps later this evening.