Ulnar Nerve Transposition (dat's my funny-bone)

[ConcernedCanuk]

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just had my left ulnar nerve moved Dec 8 - left arm

had my right arm done in '92 - works fine.

thot I'd share some info:

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Recovering from Ulnar Nerve Surgery

To recover from an ulnar nerve surgery, the doctor can prescribe physical therapy. This physical therapy exercises will help you regain strength and motion in the arm. You will require the therapy for a minimum period of three months. After the splint is removed, then starts the passive exercise schedule. In passive exercises, there is no movement that is caused to the muscles besides moving only the elbow. Six weeks after the surgery, starts the active physical therapy phase. In this phase, muscle power is used which involves muscle and bone strengthening exercises.

Depending on the harm done and the age of the patient, the recovery period from an ulnar nerve surgery varies from patient to patient. In some cases, total recovery is not really possible, however, physical therapy after surgery helps a great deal.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ulnar-nerve-surgery.html

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Stabilized subcutaneous ulnar nerve transposition with immediate range of motion. Long-term follow-up.

Black BT, Barron OA, Townsend PF, Glickel SZ, Eaton RG.

C.V. Starr Hand Surgery Center and St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, New York, NY 10025, USA.

BACKGROUND: Anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve at the elbow produces generally good results regardless of whether the nerve is transposed subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or submuscularly. The eventual recovery of nerve function is related less to the specific surgical technique than to the severity of the intrinsic nerve pathology. A primary variable in surgical management is the duration of postoperative elbow immobilization.

/snip/

. However, patients treated with a postoperative cast returned to work at an average of thirty days after surgery whereas the group treated with immediate motion of the elbow returned to work at an average of ten days. CONCLUSIONS: This technique of stabilized subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve yielded predictably good results for a wide spectrum of patients. Patients returned to their occupation sooner when the elbow had been mobilized immediately.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17147

note - mine is not in a cast, but is well wrapped around a brace that keeps it at 90degrees - sorta useless

not sure if mine is transposed subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or submuscularly - gonna try to remember to ask my surgeon next time I see her.

and still on major pain meds

- get stabs and twinges if I try something it don't like.

Learned how to shovel snow with one arm tho!

but can't even turn a bottle lid with it - yet.

Update later

[elocs]

1. I injured my right ulnar nerve some years ago while working in a food warehouse.

I had plopped an empty wooden pallet on top of some bags of rice and the end bounced up and hit my funny bone, but there was nothing funny about it. I screamed as a shaft of pain shot up my arm, which scared my coworkers, but then the are went numb. I couldn't even put my elbow on top of the table without an electric shock going up my arm.

I went to the clinic and the doctor said all that was for it was time, healing 1mm per day, the length of the nerve. They made a donut cushion for me to put on to protect the elbow, but it was impossible to put on by myself so I skipped it.

It did get better over time, but my right funny bone is still sensitive.

[ConcernedCanuk]

2. Well - here's the update

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After almost 7 weeks I can barely use my left hand for keyboarding - NOT the pinky finger though - it's sorta numb, but really STABS if I use it for anything.

Dox took me off pain meds Dec 24th - merry xmas - haven't had a real night sleep since no meds - someone fucked up methinks

ANYHOO

my sorta saviour pain wise is my brace



not exactly as the pic, but close enough

All fasteners are velcro, so not long to remove and install as needs for clothes changing.

I try too keep busy outside during the day - keeps the mind off the pain, which is at low ebb constantly, but will stab like a knife with certain movements, or sometimes with no movement at all.

Tried wearing the brace at night, but found it more disturbing than the pain itself.

So I'm sorta "stoned" all the time, not from drugs, but from sleep deprivation. One of my social workers even asked me once if I was "stoned" - I responded "Hell yeah, try a month without more than 30 minutes continuous sleep!" If it weren't for the pain - I might LIKE to stay this way - - maybe . . .

I find relief from the pain by massaging on and around the incision - it's not sensitive to the touch, it's like a bunch of tiny assholes with knives running up and down my arm underneath the skin - stabbing me when I least expect it

NOPE - I dare not hold my coffee in my left hand - wore it a coupla times doing that.

Supposed to start physio next week

We'll see how that goes.

It's surprising how much muscle mass disappears from non-use in just a coupla months. My left arm is starting to look like my Dad's arms when he was 95.

As soon as the pain subsides a bit more, I'll put myself on an exercise regimen to regain my previous strength as fast as possible. I had my right arm done in 92, and rigged up pulleys and weights in my dwelling so I could exercise while I was reading or watching the tube.

Anyone wants advice regarding my recovery before, just ask.

Anyone has advice for my regimen THIS time - please feel welcome to give me your ideas.

Update later

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. Feb 17 update - yup - it's getting better - almost pain free - and I can SLEEP now!!!

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I still wear the brace when doing heavy work, but took off the hand support so I can use the wrist more.

I generally try to do as much as I can with the arm, but only push it a little more than the day before. The "payback" comes at night if I do too much during the day - so far, . . .

not too bad.

Keyboarding, I still can't use the "baby" finger on the left arm, and the one beside it only intermittently, but I push it a bit.

Stabbing pains are rare now - and have enjoyed a few nights regular sleep.

Almost full motion with the south paw, but it complains(hurts) if I try to do anything that requires any strength

later

[Sanity Claws]

4. Glad to hear you're doing well

Good luck to the ConcernedCanuck.