ulnar nerve transposition - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

JPino9179 · 01-31-2007, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koot

Are these updates valuable enough to continue posting them?

Koot

Very helpful -- I am waiting to have the anterior subcutaneous transposition surgery soon. I have been "jumping through hoops" with my insurance company to get it done. Symptoms began in September in my left hand (I am left-handed). This is the first place I have gotten any real answers as to what to expect - not just generalities. I have an MRI scheduled next Friday (Feb 9) to make sure it is not a C8 entrapment and they will schedule the surgery then. I already have some muscle atrophy in my little finger. How are you doing now?

Koot · 01-31-2007, 02:11 PM

JPino,

I'm doing great! I still have a very, very small amount of tingling in my little finger, but that's almost gone now. I don't even think about it anymore because it's so slight. My dexterity is almost normal. And the severe muscle wasting I had between my thumb and forefinger is improving - no longer is it scalloped out but it's gaining some meat (muscle) there again. I just wish I had had the surgery right away. Trust me, if it was like mine, there's nothing to it. No pain, no medicine needed, hardly any discomfort except for the bandage for a few days. As you probably know from an earlier post I made I was hitting golf balls ten days or so after surgery (280 yard drives mind you). Get it done quickly because a nerve heals at just 1" per month and its probably 15"+ from your elbow to your finger tip... Good luck!

Koot

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPino9179

Very helpful -- I am waiting to have the anterior subcutaneous transposition surgery soon. I have been "jumping through hoops" with my insurance company to get it done. Symptoms began in September in my left hand (I am left-handed). This is the first place I have gotten any real answers as to what to expect - not just generalities. I have an MRI scheduled next Friday (Feb 9) to make sure it is not a C8 entrapment and they will schedule the surgery then. I already have some muscle atrophy in my little finger. How are you doing now?

JPino9179 · 02-14-2007, 09:54 AM

Thanks Koot -

My surgery is scheduled for next week (2/21). The doctor is doing the subcutaneous transposition. I have my pre-op tests this Friday and will meet with the anesthesiologist. After reading your post-surgery reports, I'm a bit more comfortable with the op. I think what I am least looking forward to is having my arm immobilized. I'm trying to do as many things in advance as I can to prepare.

JPino9179 · 03-08-2007, 09:16 AM

Hi Koot -

I survived the surgery, but can't say as well as you. It turned out that my nerve was compressed in 2 different places (between the bicep and tricep muscles and also where the flexor carpi muscles split). As a result, the incision is longer than planned and the surgery took about an hour more than anticipated. I was wrapped and splinted for almost 2 weeks and felt nearly helpless as this was done on my dominant arm. The post-op pain was pretty bad for about 4 days. I also had a lot of swelling in my hand (whether elevated or not) for almost 2 weeks. I just got the bandaging and splint taken off on Monday (12 days post-op). The arm is very stiff and painful to move. I am also getting 'electric shocks' down the arm every day - they tell me this is normal and will eventually die down. My mission for right now is to get full mobility back before starting strengthening exercises. I am back at work on light duty, but can't stay a full day yet.

Praying to see improvement each day............

JP