Elbow Operations (nerves)

Swanseajack

Swanseajack

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After Subacromial Decompression operations to both shoulders, I have nerve damge to my left arm from the nerve block which is administered with the op. Anyway, over the last 18 months or so it's been getting worse and I have started loosing the feeling in my little and wedding fingers along with side of hand and forearm. I have been for a nerve test and I have damage/compression to my nerves and I was refered to a Orthopedic Specialist by the Nerve Specialist who has recomended an operation as it will get worse (the previous operation haven't caused the elbow problem according to the Nerve Spec').

Anyway, my recent appointment with the Ortho was cancelled just as we were parking the car at the Hospital, so I am awaiting another appointment. The Nerve Specialist told me the nerves are trapping /compressing in my elbow which is causing the problem and he stated they would transfer the nerves from my elbow and onto my forearm and would need another operation.

So my question is, has anybody had this type of operation and how long was the recovery. I have a few things which we need to plan so any help greatly appreciated.

The Nerve Specialist wasn't very helpful with the answer for the question and said "see what Ortho guy says".

Sorry for the long post.
 
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I've had three elbow ops in the last 10 years, starting with an ulnar nerve transposition, so I know a thing or two about it

The nerve guys usually reckon it's "not too bad" unless your arm has fallen off. I've had tons of conduction tests and at worst the nerve conduction has been a bit slow across my elbow.

As I'm right-handed and I'd damaged my right elbow, I was told to be off work for 6 weeks after the first operation. I'm not sure that I really needed the whole 6 weeks, but ultimately it's down to how you can do your job with one hand. You'll be in a soft bandage and a sling for the first two weeks so it'll be effectively immobile for that time. Providing you have good hand movement and feeling after that you may be able to go back to the office wearing your sling. You'll probably be out of the sling completely after 4 weeks. I can't remember how long physiotherapy lasted, but it is mainly concerned with getting the nerve gliding through the tunnel in the muscle, so you could do the exercises anywhere. I took 6 months to get back to doing martial arts.

Hope this helps,
Drew
 
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I have had two ulnar nerve operations in the past few years. First was a simple release small incision and relief for a couple of years.
Next was ulnar nerve transposition and boy oh boy that hurt! The recovery was around 4-6 weeks, sadly as I type this post op 7 months I am getting nerve pain again in the same area
 
Thanks both for your replies.

With the symptoms was there a progressing worsening of the finger and hand numbness, how long did you have the problems before your op's? I'm just thinking whether to bother to have it done, or is the Nerve Doc right, it will get worse and lose use of fingers / hands? Im not in a great deal of pain with the elbow, its the numbness which is concerning. Also, I have damage to index finger when I chopped through finger with a 12" saw and another incident of falling on glass, so this finger is in bad shape.

The Subacromial Decompression ops to both shoulders were both very painful (hence nerve block) and if I'm honest there's been no improvement and the left is worse with the Nerve damage to upper arm and shoulder from the nerve block. As they only take a small shaving from collar bone/shoulder joint the Arthritis is just as bad as before.

Due to other problems I'm unable to work so there's no huge rush with recovery. We would like to have some time away in September, so thinking about that and possibly my camera gear, as I am considering altering things around with lenses.

As it happens, I have had another appointment for July 13th today so not long to see Ortho Doc.
 
Mark Dell said:
I have had two ulnar nerve operations in the past few years. First was a simple release small incision and relief for a couple of years.
Next was ulnar nerve transposition and boy oh boy that hurt! The recovery was around 4-6 weeks, sadly as I type this post op 7 months I am getting nerve pain again in the same area
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It may be due to the nerve 'sticking' to scar tissue caused by the operation. When I had my ligament reconstruction a few weeks ago the surgeon noted that my transposed ulnar nerve was sticking so wasn't gliding through the tunnel. He did some work to free the nerve, so I'm sure I'll need to a few exercises from the physiotherapy to try to keep it free.

Swanseajack said:
With the symptoms was there a progressing worsening of the finger and hand numbness, how long did you have the problems before your op's? I'm just thinking whether to bother to have it done, or is the Nerve Doc right, it will get worse and lose use of fingers / hands? Im not in a great deal of pain with the elbow, its the numbness which is concerning. Also, I have damage to index finger when I chopped through finger with a 12" saw and another incident of falling on glass, so this finger is in bad shape.
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I found that the pins & needles and numbness meant that I used the hand less so I ended up losing a lot of general muscle tone and strength in the whole hand. Living with this and the pain meant the op was a no brainier (all three times in fact!). I delayed my last op 5 months due to work around the General Election, but that meant enough pain to be counting the days til surgery.
 
Swanseajack said:
Thanks both for your replies.

With the symptoms was there a progressing worsening of the finger and hand numbness, how long did you have the problems before your op's? I'm just thinking whether to bother to have it done, or is the Nerve Doc right, it will get worse and lose use of fingers / hands? Im not in a great deal of pain with the elbow, its the numbness which is concerning. Also, I have damage to index finger when I chopped through finger with a 12" saw and another incident of falling on glass, so this finger is in bad shape.

The Subacromial Decompression ops to both shoulders were both very painful (hence nerve block) and if I'm honest there's been no improvement and the left is worse with the Nerve damage to upper arm and shoulder from the nerve block. As they only take a small shaving from collar bone/shoulder joint the Arthritis is just as bad as before.

Due to other problems I'm unable to work so there's no huge rush with recovery. We would like to have some time away in September, so thinking about that and possibly my camera gear, as I am considering altering things around with lenses.

As it happens, I have had another appointment for July 13th today so not long to see Ortho Doc.
Click to expand...

Mine became worse with a clawing of my hand no injury or anything then freezing cold nerve pain in the lower part of my hand and then real constant little finger pain.
The surgeon said it was very compressed the second time that's why he moved it.
I may be seeing him again soon.....
Symptoms persistent over two years prior to surgery and month by month getting worse, couldn't hold a knife to eat with, using a PC mouse impossible driving difficult
 
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Reading this doesn't fill me with confidence. My OH has just had release surgery on one arm and is due to have the other one done in two weeks. The first op they shaved the bone away and she's been absolutely fine so far. I'm just hoping her treatment is a permanent fix as I dont think she would be able to cope with going through all the hassle she's had this time. Its been over 2 years since she originally went to see her GP about it. First they diagnosed carpal tunnel and treat her for that initially with splints for 3 months then the injections and finally referred her to hospital where they did the confuctivity test, the results were inconclusive but they gave her the elbow splints to wear for 3 months. Because this improved her symptoms they decided to operate and put her on the waiting list last November. The first op date came through in March and 3 days before the op it was cancelled. This happened two more times and finally her first op happened the last week in April. Her second op was due to take place 3 weeks ago but again was cancelled due to a more urgent case. Now were just hoping the second op happens in 2 weeks as were getting close to our holiday and she doesn't want to be strapped up for that.
 
Sorry to hear of your problem Simon.

Only consolation I can give is that Singleton Hospital is good.

I spent a day there this week for eye problems, the staff where very helpful, and treatment/diagnosis was good.

Good luck.

Mj
 
Mark Johnson said:
Sorry to hear of your problem Simon.

Only consolation I can give is that Singleton Hospital is good.

I spent a day there this week for eye problems, the staff where very helpful, and treatment/diagnosis was good.

Good luck.

Mj
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Thanks all for your further replies.

Morning Mark

I had my last knee and two shoulder operations were at Singleton, as with all NHS I find them to be excellent. I have previously been a private patient when working and the service is probably better with the NHS.

We live close to Morriston Hospital and my appointment with the Ortho doc a few weeks ago was cancelled as we pulled into the car park at Singleton. As you probaly know it can be a nightmare getting from here to Singleton, with Morriston Hospital, DVLA, Colleges, University staff etc........... trying to get to work, the traffic is a nightmare. And my wife took a day off to help me. I think she was more dissapointed, as I said I would buy her a Joe's :D, but as we were so early, I dont think they would have been open. We had a 09.00hrs appointment, which is the same for the re-arranged appointment.
 
The last 6 months I have been to see an upper limb specialist about severe nerve pain in my right elbow which not only bothers me in the daytime but often keeps me awake at night. I was told in my final consultation that nothing can be done and they have prescribed amitriptyline (anti depressants) to deal with the pain.

X ray of elbow 25 years after accident.
 
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plloydie said:
The last 6 months I have been to see an upper limb specialist about severe nerve pain in my right elbow which not only bothers me in the daytime but often keeps me awake at night. I was told in my final consultation that nothing can be done and they have prescribed amitriptyline (anti depressants) to deal with the pain.

X ray of elbow 25 years after accident.
Click to expand...

Amitriyptyiline can help with the sleeping, I started taking them a good few years ago to help me sleep with the shoulder problems I have. Sleep deprivation doesn't help things and can be a vicious circle. I have found that different brands can have different effects for my sleeping and I now take the brand TEVA, Boots supply me as LLoyds and other Pharmacies couldn't get the TEVA regularly.. I take them at 8.00pm and find I'm ready for bed at 10.00pm. My dose is 75mg and I take Morphine and Gabapentin to help with my other pain problems. Luckily for me, my old GP is heading up the Pain Management Programme for this area so knows my history.
 
I tried the anti depressants but having to get up at 5am didn't help.
I am planning to see my consultant soon as I know the symptoms are very slowly getting worse.
I switched to the Fuji XT1 and gave up weddings due to this poxy condition.
 
Well I had my appointment yesterday and the Doctor stated "it was severe and would put me down as an urgent case for an operation", normally there's about a 9 months waiting list. Suprised really, as the hand, fingers are numb, but the pain isn't too bad, in comparison to my shoulder.

He has also arranged for a MRI scan for my shoulder due to the numbness and deep pain even after having Subabcromial Operation to the shoulder a few years ago.

Thanks again for the advice given.
 
Mark Johnson said:
Hi Simon, hope that is progress. Good luck.

Any pictures of the airshow?

Mj
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Thanks Mark.

I didn't bother with the airshow as I am changing my camera and lens line up and was waiting for my Nikon D750 to be delivered, so only had the wifes P&S. To be honest I have never bothered with the Airshow due to parking in Mumbles etc....... and I cant walk far now, otherwise we would park in MIL flat in Sketty. I did manage to have a close up once when I was working on Mumbles Road, very close to Bonnie Tylers house.
 
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