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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by thuso on March 23, 2007, at 17:09:47
I know this is a long shot here, but here it goes....
Has anyone ever had ulnar nerve entrapment? I'm about to have surgery in the next week or two to relieve the pain and numbness. I've been trying to find out what it is like and how recovery is. I can't find much online except how the surgery is done. I want to hear from people who have had this surgery or any of the related surgeries (carpal tunnel, medial nerve, etc). Anyone here have the experience or know of someone who has?
Posted by Larry Hoover on March 24, 2007, at 6:29:48
In reply to Anyone have ulnar nerve problems before?, posted by thuso on March 23, 2007, at 17:09:47
> I know this is a long shot here, but here it goes....
>
> Has anyone ever had ulnar nerve entrapment?I have it. I have had significant symptoms for greater than two years. Mine evolved from a simple ulnar neuropathy to become the more systemic neuropathy called complex regional pain syndrome.
> I'm about to have surgery in the next week or two to relieve the pain and numbness. I've been trying to find out what it is like and how recovery is. I can't find much online except how the surgery is done. I want to hear from people who have had this surgery or any of the related surgeries (carpal tunnel, medial nerve, etc). Anyone here have the experience or know of someone who has?
Our paths diverge already, as I did not have the surgery. Long story why not.
In my case, the nerve was thought to be too agitated? excited? whatever the term ought to be, to further aggravate it by moving it. It just never settled down enough that we could proceed with surgery.
I think I understand something of what you're going through. Happy to talk about it, here, or via babblemail.
Lar
Posted by NikkiT2 on March 24, 2007, at 6:40:56
In reply to Anyone have ulnar nerve problems before?, posted by thuso on March 23, 2007, at 17:09:47
I had an ulnar nerve decomrepssion and transposition in right elbow about 4 years ago..
Recovery time was fine.. I was back at work 2 days later, and only medium pain meds for needed for 48 hours. They did use a 24 nerve block with the surgery which I think was a huge help..
Be prepared for some bizarre itching though!!It didn't cure my problem, but they weren't helpful and was part of a series of treatments. But, I suffer from same problem as the lovely Larry, so it wasn't likely to ufortunately.
Nikki
Posted by thuso on March 25, 2007, at 9:34:30
In reply to Re: Anyone have ulnar nerve problems before? » thuso, posted by Larry Hoover on March 24, 2007, at 6:29:48
> I have it. I have had significant symptoms for greater than two years. Mine evolved from a simple ulnar neuropathy to become the more systemic neuropathy called complex regional pain syndrome.
>How interesting. My pain and then numbness/tingling only started in December. We tried waiting it out, splinting, and PT. Since nothing is working, we are opting for surgery. After reading some about recovery, I thought it was better to get it done sooner than later because I don't want my nerve to get scar tissue or get to a point that even surgery won't help anymore.
> Our paths diverge already, as I did not have the surgery. Long story why not.
>
> In my case, the nerve was thought to be too agitated? excited? whatever the term ought to be, to further aggravate it by moving it. It just never settled down enough that we could proceed with surgery.
>
> I think I understand something of what you're going through. Happy to talk about it, here, or via babblemail.
>hmmm...what does agitated or excited really mean? It's never been brought up to me, so I guess I don't have that problem. So does this mean that your nerve will never get better and you just have to live with the pain?
I totally thought this was a long shot, but it is really nice to know other people have had the same thing.
Posted by thuso on March 25, 2007, at 9:40:59
In reply to Re: Anyone have ulnar nerve problems before? » thuso, posted by NikkiT2 on March 24, 2007, at 6:40:56
> I had an ulnar nerve decomrepssion and transposition in right elbow about 4 years ago..
>Mine is on my left elbow (I'm right handed).
> Recovery time was fine.. I was back at work 2 days later, and only medium pain meds for needed for 48 hours. They did use a 24 nerve block with the surgery which I think was a huge help..
> Be prepared for some bizarre itching though!!
This is exactly what I wanted to hear. I really wanted to know how quickly I could get back to things and how long to expect to be on pain meds. I'll find out more of the details of my surgery at my appointment tomorrow morning.> It didn't cure my problem, but they weren't helpful and was part of a series of treatments. But, I suffer from same problem as the lovely Larry, so it wasn't likely to ufortunately.
>
> NikkiI'm hoping that since we caught it so early and are doing the surgery this soon, that my recovery will be complete. I read somewhere online that 8-9 out of 10 people who get this surgery completely recover. It is only those who wait too long that have the problems.
Posted by Larry Hoover on March 25, 2007, at 10:47:53
In reply to Re: Anyone have ulnar nerve problems before? » Larry Hoover, posted by thuso on March 25, 2007, at 9:34:30
> > I have it. I have had significant symptoms for greater than two years. Mine evolved from a simple ulnar neuropathy to become the more systemic neuropathy called complex regional pain syndrome.
> >
>
> How interesting. My pain and then numbness/tingling only started in December. We tried waiting it out, splinting, and PT. Since nothing is working, we are opting for surgery. After reading some about recovery, I thought it was better to get it done sooner than later because I don't want my nerve to get scar tissue or get to a point that even surgery won't help anymore.I'll never know what impact prompt surgical intervention might have had.
> > Our paths diverge already, as I did not have the surgery. Long story why not.
> >
> > In my case, the nerve was thought to be too agitated? excited? whatever the term ought to be, to further aggravate it by moving it. It just never settled down enough that we could proceed with surgery.
> >
> > I think I understand something of what you're going through. Happy to talk about it, here, or via babblemail.
> >
>
> hmmm...what does agitated or excited really mean? It's never been brought up to me, so I guess I don't have that problem. So does this mean that your nerve will never get better and you just have to live with the pain?I was struggling to describe a raw nerve. It didn't occur to me to just say that. It's like a toothache in my arm. Like ramming my 'funny bone' really hard, only all the time. I've just gone through some rather intensive psychotherapy to help me to come to some kind of acceptance, that maybe this will be with me for a very long time. Prognosis is totally uncertain, and I remain very vulnerable to triggering severe pain flares. My most recent pain questionnaire ranked me at the 92nd percentile, constant debilitating pain, extreme.
> I totally thought this was a long shot, but it is really nice to know other people have had the same thing.You'll note that Nicky had the surgery, and I didn't, and we both progessed to complex regional pain syndrome. That's merely our experience. Your information that most people go on to have a full recovery is correct. However, some people prove to be the exceptions.
I think your prognosis remains excellent, and I'd go ahead with the surgery. Promptness of intervention is a major factor in outcome. Bureaucratic delay delayed things months at a time, for me, at multiple points. So....I may serve as the "don't let this happen to you" exemplar.
Lar
Posted by thuso on March 26, 2007, at 20:44:32
In reply to Anyone have ulnar nerve problems before?, posted by thuso on March 23, 2007, at 17:09:47
Posted by NikkiT2 on March 31, 2007, at 14:56:46
In reply to Surgery now scheduled for April 4th (nm), posted by thuso on March 26, 2007, at 20:44:32
Good luck..
And let us know how it goes. I'll be sending strength your way
Nikki xx
Posted by gardenergirl on April 1, 2007, at 15:26:50
In reply to Re: Surgery now scheduled for April 4th » thuso, posted by NikkiT2 on March 31, 2007, at 14:56:46
Ditto. Wishing you well, thuso.
namaste
gg
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 3, 2007, at 9:01:54
In reply to Surgery now scheduled for April 4th (nm), posted by thuso on March 26, 2007, at 20:44:32
Hoping for a simple procedure, and good outcome.
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 5, 2007, at 7:35:53
In reply to Surgery now scheduled for April 4th (nm), posted by thuso on March 26, 2007, at 20:44:32
I bet you're not feeling much like typing, but I trust you are recovering smoothly, and hope that you obtain the relief you sought.
Lar
Posted by dbownds on June 30, 2007, at 12:26:01
In reply to Re: Surgery now scheduled for April 4th » thuso, posted by Larry Hoover on April 5, 2007, at 7:35:53
I'm not sure how this works, but I'll give it a try. I had this surgery May 31, after numbness in pinkie finger, pinkie side of ring finger and side of hand since Feb 13th. Just returned to work this last week. I'm still on pain meds and physical therapy. I have pain and numbness in wrist and the affected fingers ALL THE TIME! Can't find a comfortable position for arm, can't sleep, can't ride my motorcycle. I'm amazed at the person who posted previous message that returned to work in two days! had back surgery in February for facet cyst in lumber region - sailed through that so thought this would be a breeze. Not so. Has anyone had continuing problems? and what should i do?
Posted by Larry Hoover on July 2, 2007, at 17:17:38
In reply to ulnar nerve transposition » Larry Hoover, posted by dbownds on June 30, 2007, at 12:26:01
> I'm not sure how this works, but I'll give it a try. I had this surgery May 31, after numbness in pinkie finger, pinkie side of ring finger and side of hand since Feb 13th. Just returned to work this last week. I'm still on pain meds and physical therapy. I have pain and numbness in wrist and the affected fingers ALL THE TIME! Can't find a comfortable position for arm, can't sleep, can't ride my motorcycle. I'm amazed at the person who posted previous message that returned to work in two days! had back surgery in February for facet cyst in lumber region - sailed through that so thought this would be a breeze. Not so. Has anyone had continuing problems? and what should i do?
One thing I would do is avoid aggravation of the nerve until you find it settling down. For some reason, the ulnar nerve is very often involved in the complex regional pain syndrome. My own triggers include vibration and cold temps....if I induce an increase in pain with these triggers, the pain endures. That's just my experience.
If your own nerve disturbance involves loss of nerve fibres, then the recovery may be prolonged. There's a threshold that separates injured nerve fibres (my own distinction, but by this I mean ones that can heal) from those that are damaged beyond recovery. Nerve fibres will regrow from above the site of compression (usually at the elbow), but those fibres regrow at a rate of about 1/2 inch (just over 1 cm) per month. It is thus possible that full recovery can take close on two years, give or take. Every case is different. My best advice is to protect that nerve, and try and be patient with it all.
Lar
Posted by thuso on July 2, 2007, at 21:13:24
In reply to ulnar nerve transposition » Larry Hoover, posted by dbownds on June 30, 2007, at 12:26:01
> I'm not sure how this works, but I'll give it a try. I had this surgery May 31, after numbness in pinkie finger, pinkie side of ring finger and side of hand since Feb 13th. Just returned to work this last week. I'm still on pain meds and physical therapy. I have pain and numbness in wrist and the affected fingers ALL THE TIME! Can't find a comfortable position for arm, can't sleep, can't ride my motorcycle. I'm amazed at the person who posted previous message that returned to work in two days! had back surgery in February for facet cyst in lumber region - sailed through that so thought this would be a breeze. Not so. Has anyone had continuing problems? and what should i do?
>Well, I ended up taking a week off of work even though I could have gone back a day or two earlier. At the beginning it was very hard to find a comfortable way to sleep without pain, but I was able to prop up a pillow on each side of me to prop up my arm. Your recovery will definitely take time. Larry is right about the slow nerve regrowth. Mine is still slowly getting better. I'm now to the point where I only feel the tingling when I do something like clap my hands. It will get better...just give it some time.
Posted by dbownds on July 2, 2007, at 23:05:27
In reply to Re: ulnar nerve transposition » dbownds, posted by thuso on July 2, 2007, at 21:13:24
I must say that you and Larry are certainly bright lights at the end of the tunnel! You have made me feel a lot better. And if I look back over the last 2-3 weeks, I am getting better, just not fast enough to suit me. Yesterday I was outside all day long doing yard work -- not one bit of pain, but boy was I tired! The minute I sat down the trouble started up again. But you guys have given me hope -- nothing the surgeon, nurses or p/t's really have -- "oh, it might take 18 months for things to get back to normal". I seriously might do myself in before that time. I'll keep you posted and keep checking for new posts. Thanks again, Donna
Posted by dbownds on July 2, 2007, at 23:09:59
In reply to Re: ulnar nerve transposition » dbownds, posted by Larry Hoover on July 2, 2007, at 17:17:38
I knew from health or science classes years ago that nerves grew slowly, but never applied it to my situation. Since I had been having trouble only since February I never thought I had any damage -- the surgeon said the nerve was "really jammed in there". This surgeon had a really strange way about him - impersonal, but he's supposed to be the best. Thanks so much for your information and support. I'll keep you posted and check back for new posts.
Donna
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