Post Ulnar nerve transposition increased pain & symptoms

[Ally627]

I am 16 weeks post surgery (Submuscular ulnar nerve transposition) and have been in physical therapy for the past 3 months. I am so frustrated because I don’t feel ANY relief; in fact my symptoms are worse. Still have numbness/ tingling/ shooting pain/ and I feel like I’ve lost strength in my right hand and I feel like I don’t even have a pinkie anymore! How can this be? I cannot seem to find a lot of information regarding post surgery complications or other possible diagnosis for this pain. I am only taking darvocet and that barely cuts through the pain. Is it possible that the nerve is inflamed? Or there is too much scar tissue? I have mild neck pain on my right side could this be related? What could be causing these continued/ worsening symptoms? And what kind of treatment or medication is most effective for ulnar nerve pain?

[Flizzle]

I had ulnar nerve transposition on my rt elbow 6 months ago. Sadly the only difference now is that instead of numb ring and pinky fingers I also have an extremely sensitive scar behind my elbow. I may have waited too long to see a doctor after the initial symptoms, about 6 months, and I do regret not going immediately. From the hundreds of things Ive read online it seems that recovery varies from days to months from person to person. Hopefully I'll end up being the 10 month recovery guy. Even if not I am grateful I don't have pain and am sorry to hear that some do. For what it's worth I did read an interesting article about nerve recovery out of England. The study found that the overwhelming bulk of success stories were from people who didnt drink or smoke. Not that thats shocking I guess but I did find it interesting. Good luck everyone

[jefftheguard56]

hi dave i'm jeff. 1st, i thank u 4 ur post.it put me a bit at ease as i will most likely b having ulnar nerve surgery soon.i am waiting 4 the surgeons office 2 return my call.(left his office a voice mail yestrday).yest,my pain mgmt dr. did an emg and was shocked at the result..he asked,"what the hell did u do 2 your arm?!"anyway the old posts i've read over the last 6 hrs.r scaring the crap outta me.i was relieved when i read yours.sooooo thanks again and i wish u good health!

[TFCC]

Ulnar Nerve Anterior Subcutaneous Transposition surgery September 23, 2014.  25 weeks post-op and I still have terrible pain.  Burning pain which follows the ulnar nerve down the arm from incision to 5th digit.  Severe muscle wasting right forearm, weakened all-over strength (including grip strength), unable to lift/push/pull or perform any forceful repetitive tasks.  Cannot bear weight on right arm (elbow or wrist). Told the condition of my arm would continue to deteriorate.  Constant sharp pain at TFCC tear. This was my fourth surgery after being hit my a motor vehicle (pedestrian motor vehicle accident).  Surgical treatment includes (1) arthroscopic elbow debridement w/ nerve decompression.  Removal of 10 loose floating bodies from elbow fracture (2) ulnar shortening osteotomy and TFCC debridement for a Colles' fracture and severely dislocated right wrist, torn TFCC, ulnar-carpal impaction with an ulnar positive variance of 5mm followed by (3) cubital tunnel release (cubital tunnel syndrome)  No relief.  Continue to have stiffness, grinding in the elbow b/w 145-180 degrees extension.  Numbness and tingling in 4th & 5th digits remain.  Pain behind elbow (triceps).  It's been 25 weeks post-op and no signs of improvement.  Additional symptoms after surgery include constant sharp pain traveling up to neck. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis, post-traumatic ulnar neuropathy, post-traumatic radial neuropathy.  Follow-up in 2 weeks.  Chronic pain referral.  

[readmaur]

Where is your Dr. located? Thanks!

[dave911nj]

TOO MUCH OLD STUFF ON THE SUBJECT OF SUBMUSCULAR ULNAR NERVE TRANSPOSITION SURGERY. I HAD THE SURGERY ON 10/2/14. EVERYTHING I SEARCHED FOR PRIOR TO SURGERY WAS 5+ YEARS OLD, AND SCARED THE CR*P OUT OF ME. SO, I FELT THE NEED TO PUT MY EXPERIENCE UP HERE. THINGS MUST HAVE CHANGED OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST 5-7 YEARS WHICH MOST OF THE POSTS I FOUND WERE. FIRST OFF...YOU CANNOT HAVE ANY DR DO THIS SURGERY. YOU NEED ONE WHO SPECIALIZES IN HAND AND UPPER EXTREMITIES. THIS IS A MUST. PLUS, SOMEONE WHO HAS DONE THIS SURGERY IN THE PAST IS A MAJOR PLUS. I AM IN NEW JERSEY, AND LUCKILY FOUND SOMEONE RIGHT HERE IN STATE. BTW, I AM TYPING THIS WITH 2 HANDS ONE WEEK AFTER SURGERY. I WAS IN MY SPLINT/HALF CAST FOR ABOUT A WEEK. WHEN I WENT FOR MY POST OP APPOINTMENT 6 DAYS AFTER SURGERY I WAS SCARED, BECAUSE I WAS UNSURE OF WHAT TO EXPECT WITH MOVING MY ELBOW, OR WHAT IT WOULD EVEN LOOK LIKE. KEEP IN MIND, AFTER SURGERY FOR ABOUT 4-5 DAYS, YOU WILL NEED PAIN MEDS, BUT IF YOU TAKE EVERY 4 HOURS, THE PAIN IS MINIMAL. AT MY POST OP APPT, THEY REMOVED SPLINT/HALF CAST, AND BENT MY ELBOW WITH EASE, AND NO PAIN. THE SORENESS WAS MORE FROM THE INCISION, WHICH DID LOOK NASTY LOL. NO STITCHES OR STAPLES TO REMOVE SINCE I HAVE THE STITCHES THAT DISSOLVE. NEXT UP, DR TOLD ME I NEED TO WEAR MY SLING FOR 2 MORE WEEKS TILL I SEE HIM AGAIN, NOT EVEN A DRESSING ON INCISION AREA. HE PUT ON A SMALL ACE BANDAGE AND SAID WEAR THIS ONLY FOR COSMETIC REASONS SO OTHER DONT HAVE TO SEE IT, AND GAVE ME 2 EXTRAS, BUT I HAVE NOT WORN IT. SLING DOES NOT NEED TO BE WORN AT HOME RESTING OR LAYING AROUND. I REALLY FEEL GOOD ONE WEEK AFTER SURGERY, AND EXPECTED TO BE WORSE BASED ON OLD POSTINGS. CANT LIFT ANYTHING EITHER MORE THAN LIKE A CONTAINER OF MILK. TOO MANY PEOPLE EXPECT INSTANT FEELING IN THEIR PINKY AND RING FINGER, BUT LITTLE KNOW NERVE TAKE 1CM A DAY TO HEAL. ALL I CAN SAY IS I PICKED THE BEST DR SO FAR,

[L015]

I am very curious to hear how your recovery continued. Your experience right after surgery sounds a lot like mine. I was very optimistic about my recovery. It has been two months now since my surgery. My elbow still fills great, just tender if I lean right on the surgery site. I have no issues in my range of motion. The problem is in my hand. I believe that my finger flexion and strength have gotten worse than they were a month ago. Very troubling, as Ally627 said, " I feel like I don’t even have a pinkie anymore!" I cannot make it touch my ring finger. It is very numb. I can type with it, but I frequently hit caps lock because I have trouble controlling exactly where it goes. I generally struggle to grip or use my hand in any of the usual ways. The good news is that the pain seems less, but it scares me that perhaps that means the healing has stopped.

[arnie21]

I had bilateral ulnar surgery, first on my right arm in 2011 and then on my left arm in 2012.  I am still suffering.  Elbows very painful and wrists also.  I have also experienced pain in my arms that was not there before the surgery.  

[Cat2472]

I just had my second ulnar surgery ( post op day 3)...making this bilateral for me. After years of pain on my left...I was diagnosed with THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME/COMPRESSION. Had TOS surgery in 2002 & had been pain & sympt free on my left side. However...with nerve damage...regeneration of the nerve is 50/50 & can take up to 2 years. I do not have full feeling in left pinky or ring finger as well as 1/4 ofy hand BUT I can use my hand & arm w/no pain. Some mild weakness at times but nothing that isn't expected from nerve damage. Some of us are also genetically more nerve sensitive. If experiencing pain in shoulder, neck, headaches, weakness lifting arm etc... I'd seek information about Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. I was Dr.Atasoy @ Klinert & Kutz Hand Center in Louisville KY...I live in NY.

[ladyhawk1969]

I know exactlly where your comeing from, i had the same surgery may 14th 2012 and i am currently in phys therapy.
I still can't straighten my right arm out all the way, I am in pain 24/7 .
my shoulder and neck have started hurting me to the point that i sometimes feel like it takes all i can do to raise my arm.
I fell in jan 2011 on my right elbow and after over a year of seeing company Dr and several cortisone shots i finally got to a ortho Dr ..my problem was made worse because of not getting proper treatment in a timely fashion.

[mikerobinson41]

hi i can relate to your teenage son.

i have ulnar nerve damage at both my elbows and they want me to get surgery but i know its neurological, because since i've gotten that i started getting fasiculations, and tremors as well, but i cant seem to find the answer.

im only 19 and was going to play division 1 college basketball this year, but my neurological problems have essentially ruined everything for me.

just send him to a neuro and keep fighting, the answer IS out there.

[TeenUlnar]

My teenage son had much needed ulnar nerve surgery.   It has been good for his previous elbow pain, however, he has had extreme difficulty recovering.  He has numbness and nerve pains down to his fingertip, and daily headaches that don't subside with medication.  He just feels an overall tiredness and sickness all the time.  Hasn't grown or gained weight in over a year.  The surgery was almost a year ago.   Any ideas out there if this could be related to his surgery?   Seems like we've traded one pain for many others.   Help!

[luluwhy]

look, i had the same surgery for my RT ulnar in 7/14/2009. my nerve was modreate to severe dameged with marked reduction of velocity acroos the elbow, any way submuscular transposition worked well with me, the results are amazing,, i worked as physicaltherpst and maybe that helped me to understand and deal with the problem, but whats really important beside drugs and good nutrtion u have to know what is good for ur nerve to get healthy again. find the most relifing position of ur arm and attemp it, use splents to help u avoid any stress over the nerve. and about ur surgeon.. he should explain clearly what he's done, commonly its not just entrapment at the ulnar tunnel u may have multipple lesion proximal and distal to that site which is the most afected segment but does the surgeon checked for multipple lesions? were ur arm n cast and immoblised post oprative? for how long? when did u start to bend and extend ur elbow??

[Nerve11]

I had ulnar nerve transposition 5 weeks ago, still continue to have numbness to my right ring finger and pinky, I am also having a lot of muscle stiffness and pain to my upper arm, continue to have the burning pain from my armpits to my elbow on both arms. Had Acdf c5-c6 and brachial plexus decompression last year but I continue to have these symptoms. I am staring my PT next week and hope that I will heal, it is just so frustrating.  They said that nerve damages should heal by itself, its been 2 yrs since I injured my self, still having all these pain.