Ulnar Nerve surgery ???

[Larry]

Has anyone been through surgery to relieve an entrapment of the ulnar nerve at the elbow? I had a "submuscular transportation" done a week ago and I'm trying to gauge rehab time to plan my late spring/early summer trips. I'd also like to know how well the results came out. It really stinks when you get dressed for the day and instead of thinking about how it looks, you think first about how you're going to put it on !!LOL

[Bob G2]

Your rate of recovery will depend on how long the compression was there and how severe. If the compression was severe and chronic enough to cause muscle wasting, then your rate of recovery wil be longer and some of the muscular deficit may be permanent. Luckily, most ulnar entrapment neuropathies aka cubital tunnel syndromes generally affect the sensory component of the nerve. Recovery time again is dependent on severity, also if there are other mitigating factors. IN GENERAL,
which may/may not apply to you, recovery can be anticipated in 6 weeks.

My suggestion is to ask your doctor who performed the procedure what his opinion is.

Good fishing.

[Big Sky]

I had the surgery, but that was over 20 years ago. When the injury happened, I lost some feeling in the right side of my hand, my pinky finger and the right side of my ring finger. The surgery was a success I would say, but I do still have some tingle in my hand if I scratch it so I still know the feeling is there. The worst part for me with this injury and surgery is that when my right hand gets really cold ice fishing or hunting, my pinky and ring fingers won't get close to my other fingers when I point them straight out. They seem to want to stick out to the right all by themselves. LOL. They seem to become dead. Those 2 fingers don't cooperate when you try to put your hand in the pocket to warm yourself up. As far as recover time, I can't remember clearly how long it took, but I do remember playing basketball that winter and the injury occured during the football season. Did receive a nice scar for the memory also.

[Glen]

A sports chiropractor could already have you in good shape. Too bad since the surgery has a 50% failure rate after five years.

Good Luck, but six weeks should be it for rehab.

[Marble Eyes]

Larry First off I wish you the best.

I had the sugery on my left wrist.

I went thru rehab for about 4 weeks and I would say by the end of 8 weeks I could use the hand/arm with some confidence. But you will still have to baby it a bit. I was told to wear a brace for about 3 weeks after the surgery, but they gave one of those exercise small balls and some puddy to work my fingers and wrist.

I have absolutely no problems with my hand/wrist/arm usage.
The only time I even remember it is when severe barametric Pressure change accurs, then healed bones talk to me.

Note to remember: Stay off the Lawn mower! That vibration will bring tears to your eyes until things heal up properly.

[Larry]

Thanks for the replies. I knew we'd have somebody on the board that had been through this. I tried less invasive routes...splinting and anti-inflamatory drugs w/o relief and finally agreed to surgery. My surgeon won't be back from vacation until my first pre-op visit on 3/21. I've been doing rehab on the fingures and shoulder since the day after surgery. The cast comes off next week in favor of some type of splint. I'm told that's for another 6 weeks. The lawn mower thing sounds OK. Now, to get the family to mow for me while I rehab from the boat! At this point, I don't want to move it much. I spent the afternoon yesterday walking around the Milwaukee Show and paid the price last night. A bit of hoop action on TV should help with the couch time for the next few weeks. You can only watch so many fishing shows.

[Gilly]

What a surprise to see this on WC. I hope it works out for the best Larry. I had/have bi-lateral carpal tunnel and subsequent left cubital tunnel syndrome-ulnar nerve entrapment. I work in a hospital and have done a great deal of research on the topic-to include numerous physician visits. I watched a carpal tunnel release surgery and had mine scheduled. I chickened out as I wanted to find an alternative. Well I did thank god! The company offers resistive band exercise systems which include the ever important stretching exercises. The company RMTC can be reached at 1-800-860-RMTC. They will send you literature on the exercisers which cost twenty bucks. Man it saved my life. As you can attest these syndromes can become very debilitating. Regardless I hope the transposition works wonders for yourself. They claim the exercisers are useful for rehabilitation as well.