I figured I would take a minute and update my status after 3 months. My elbow is still very tender and hurts when touched in certain ways, like if its bumped or I set it down on a table. My arm is still very stiff and the elbow is numb as well, its a odd feeling and the tingling in my pinky and ring finger still persists.
I go back to the doctor next week and we’ll see what he says, my nerve was pretty damaged and when I visited a month ago he said I would most likely still see improvement 2-5 years down the road. All-in-All I am not sure the surgery was really a total success the aching has gone away but the numbness hasn’t and that’s the part I am having trouble getting used too.
I’ll try to keep up on my updates on a more regular basis since people seem to be interested in sharing their experiences on my previous post. 
Wow. That is rough. I hope things improve for you soon!
I am scheduled for ulnar nerve surgery 7/15/08 and am really upset about having to go through it.
Susanne
I just found out that I need to have ulnar nerve transposition surgery. Has anyone had the surgery and can say that they returned to “normal” after it? If so, how long did it take to get to that point?
I had ulnar nerve transposition surgery on Aug 17, 2008 and in my estimation was a total waste of time, energy and money. The bottom of my hand and lower two fingers are still completely numb and now my elbow area is sore, aching and burning. I would never recomend this surgery to anyone ever. The surgeon constantly tells me to accept it. No way. He told me this surgery would fix the numbness in my hand and as far as I’m concerned, he lied. Now it’s worse. Don’t get the surgery, find alternatives or completely investigate your surgeeon. Talk to the patients he has worked on for this type surgery. If he won’t give you their names, find a different doctor.
I had ulnar transposition surgery in both elbows. I had first developed it in the right elbow–and had symptoms forabout 7 months before surgery. The dotor said the muscles in my hand had started to atrophy, and surgery would only keep things from getting worse. Well, I responded better than expected. Wthin 2 weeks, my fingers didn’t deel glued shut. I am able to usemy right hand, though my pinky still won’t straighten all the way. I did get most of the function back, but not all sensation. Overall, it is much better for having had the surgry. A month after the surgery for the right, I began to have symptoms on the left (and dominant) hand. Within 6 weeks post op of my right elbow, I now had severe deformities in my left hand (it came on that fast). With 8 weeks of my first sugery, I was in the OR again, this tme for ulnar transposition of my left arm (and a carpal tunnel release of same arm. /This one recovered more slowly, but within 4 weeks I was movng it, and function returned.
I had ulna nerve transposition on Aug 20, 2008. It’s now six weeks since the op (anterior tranposition according to surgeon). I am still swollen slightly, numb a lot, tingling and very tender to touch and painful inside. I also often get stabbing pains in the elbow and wound area, and now and then weakness whereby I can’t hold things as I seem to feel a jolt going to my hand.
When are these problems going to subside.
Can anyone share some light, or having same problems as me weeks after surgery.
I can do more with my arm as each week goes by, so the muscle seems ok, it’s just the other problems.
I had ulnar nerve surgery two and a half years ago and arm was never normal again. Now this past year 2008 was at work and something popped in arm and been going to doctors including hand specailists for last five months, I have same symptoms as before, tingling in arm and fingers, loss of strenght in hand, pain in elbow and hand, clawing of fingers. loss of feeling. and they say nothing more can be done, say no nerve damage and nerve didn’t move out of place son in other words moving the nerve the first time didn’t work and they say more surgery will make it worse, so now I will have permanent restrictions at work for ever! I really don’t think doctors know enough of this procedure. So my arm is screwed up for life and will never be normal again.
Hi
This is the first time i have replyed to a blog or what ever you call it.
i had ulnar transposition on 8/5/08 and have quite a story but want to be sure this works before i go any further. So will sign off and reappear tomorrow 10/8/08 after Dr. appt. If we get back too late it will be 10/9. We have a 2 plus hour drive.
sarah
I had the Muscular Transposition on my left are in Feb of 06 after fighting to get it done via workmans comp and AIG. A small peice of metal that stuck in my elbo for all of a few secconds cause a staf infection that destroyed the nerve.. It took 6 months for the proper diagnosis with a doctor I finally forced AIG to let me see. All the physical therapy they had me do between the infection leaving the arm and then caused more damage to the nerve.
It has been nearly 3 years since the injury and I still am vaving sevear pain in the arm and had. Tingling of the pinky and ring finger and the elbow is still numb. Feels like burning shots down into the had if I lift more then a few pounds. Another constant are tremors in the had and arm as well as cramping that locks the arm or hand in place and causes sevear pain.
I go see and AIG doctor again on the 15th of January and then my doctor again on the 26th..
Over all I have no clue what either will say tis time but perhaps hey will have some idea of a solution…
Aaron
I need advice. I have been several doctors over last nine months nerve pain in my lower arm and hand they took nerve conduction test with the results showing no problems. Since my hands is now starting to be swollen constantly and my small finger and ring finger are in night clawlike shape 20 47 they have decided do an MRI of my arm. I have not heard good things about the Ulnar nerve surgery but the pain so intense and now I am very depressed towns the doctors say I may have now developed with reflex symptomatic dystrophy. Any advise on the surgery if they decide to do it would be appreciated. Thank you
I had elbow surgery on my right arm 12/11/08 and then on my left 17/01/09. Yes it has been a long 3 months. All the tingling and numbness has completely gone in both hands. My right elbow both elbows were numb in different areas after the surgery. My right was on the inside of my elbow and the left on the outside of the elbow. The right has returned to normal although is still a bit stiff and painful to totally extend the arm to a straight position. The left only operated on 1 month ago is still very sore around the elbow bone and numb. I had a very good surgeon on the Gold Coast who also operated on both my hands for carpel tunnel syndrome 9 years ago when I was 6 months pregnant. All in all although not a nice experience for me I can say even though it is early days it has worked for me. I hope this has been useful. Let me know.
I had ulnar nerve surgery two years ago, they say I injured it from repeditive work on my job. They did the surgery now two years later I re injured my elbow in work one day, I felt like a pop in my elbow. So back on workmanscomp. They sent me to therapy for a month twice a week, did nothing, had to take nerve test, turned out normal, had an MRI to see if nerve had moved from surgery, was normal. But I have the same awful pain from pinky and ring finger up to elbow and numbness as before, I was starting to drop things lost most of strength in hand. Is actully worse than before but no doctor can figure it out. Been sending me in circles from doctor to doctor, town to town for the last five months!! Been on resttrictions at work and people are thinking I am making it up and far from it. So don’t know what to tell anyone about this surgery or injury, seems a lot of people it doesn’t work for and you are just out of luck.
July 2002 is when all my trouble started with this ulnar nerve what started at the tip of the ring finger what was split open due to a injury at work .Problem #1)was with the care I was given 8 hours waiting to see a doctor at the hospital when I was seen it was sewn up and told see your family doctor with this doctor knowing the damage was already starting with the ulnar nerve.I was sent to a plastic surgeon by the family doctor whom has done (4) surgeries to the finger and right hand meaning cutting the nerve what caused many more problems to come .To date I’ve had (4) to the right hand and (2) to the elbow with no change just getting worse it has moved upto my shoulder now what I’ve been told can go to my spine in my back.You put trust in the canada system first mistake never trust any doctor get answers don’t do what I did and figure it’s got to work as the doctor said it should work well guess what folks it only got worse.The plastic Surgeon was approved by the Workers Comp Board for another surgey by the plastic surgeon but sitting here and thinking wait how stupid can I be after all these done it only got worse.This gave me a wake up call do I really want this guy giving me more pain and problems and seen (4) other doctors who know more about the nerves meaning Neurologinsts what I should have done in the first place .All (4) to my suprise said the same thing NO MORE SURGERIES kidding I wasn’t suprised just got my answers I needed long time ago but me not being a doctor and trusting the doctor put my arm ,hand,in the hands of a plastic surgeon .Heres the kicker Workers Comp know the problem is there and are willing to pay the doctor,and other people that get involved but not pay myself for the work related injury that happened in 2002 and it’s 2009 and still have a problem finding a job that will take me with one very screwed up right upper side as I’m right handed I apply get the job but when the truth comes out about my hand as the truth shall set you free but lost all my chances of getting back into the work force. Workers Comp has got restrictions on my right upper side meaning very limited movements of the right hand ,arm .When you are right handed it’s hard to convert to the left side but over the years I’ve trained myself no help from workers comp at all .Dropping cups trying to hold somthing or even taking the cold on the right side is unreal .So learn from my mistakes think twice get help to find the pro’s and con’s of a doctor ripping you open don’t forget they get paid very well ripping people open if it doesn’t work the first time heck lets make more money and try again and again and again.My life has taken a turn for the worse meaning this has affected myself my wife and my kids and stand to lose my house and everything else because Workers Comp claim it’s not work related .I’ve tried going back to work if your right handed or left handed try doing something with one hand put the hand you have used all your life the most into a sling and go on with your day lets see how many times you slip up and might even cause yourself more problems .The goverment don’t care about you ,me anyone but themself as they have no idea what it is to really work for a living pushing papers and pens and kicking people while they are down in hopes you’ll go away or kill themself what has happened many times and guess what this goverment won’t even bat a eye but just sit back and say we knew they’d do somthing stupid and give themself raises and a bigger party .I heard the United States have great doctors why because they get paid by yourself not the goverment as the goverment does control what doctors can do look at WORKERS COMP doctors they are GODS they can heal everyone so why do we need family ,experienced doctors when we have WORKERS COMP doctors.
problem was that you treated with a plastic surgeon. I don’t know about anyone else writing here, but for best results with ulner tansposition surgery, you shoukd be seeing a hand surgeon/board certified in orthopedic surgery. A plastic surgeon is VERY different than an orthopedist. There are also MANY factors to account for as to the results of surgery. I had to have it done, twice, and am much better for it. But there is so many variables that account for recovery–such as the amount of nerve damage. Sometimes, the nerve damage is irreversible, and surgery won’t help. I am hearing lots of blaming doctor’s and insurance companies, when it isn’t their fault. When nerves are damaged they take a long time to recover, if they do at al. There are NEVER any guarantees in surgery.
And by the way, i don’t know of many doctors who rush you right into surgery, period.
Thanks for the responses to last week’s story on the 10 player types and their equipment needs. It seems we have in our midst a lot of “Baseline Retrievers,” who should be thinking about using gut strings for more power; “Wild Thangs,” who should consider polyester strings if they don’t have any arm issues; and “Club Contenders” who, in pursuit of more effective volleys, should opt for larger grips and should try adding weight to the heads of their racquets for stability.
Wow your blog was very interesting. I can’t wait on your next blog. I wish that you get well soon. Wish that you will going to post blog update sooner.
I had Ulnar Nerve surgery on left arm at elbow, was trapped in three places and had some scar tissue from who knows where. Doctor told me it could either make it worse, make it better, or do nothing. Well, I can’t say it’s done anything really. I still have the numbness on the outside of my left hand, pinky and some of the ring finger. I can feel it, but can’t feel it, if that makes any sense. My surgery was in Jan. 2007. I healed well and excercised it so that I could stretch it out good, et… but now and then I will feel my elbow catch or feel a popping. Doctor told me if I did anything to it I WOULD KNOW. It would be painful. Now the inside of that same arm, at the elbow, is killing me and I didn’t do anything I know of except a bit of yard work. It isn’t like I have a sore muscle, it is something else and I don’t know what. Very painful. Not sure if I should see a doctor about it or not.
Just had ulnar nerve surgery on 4/2/10 (Good Friday before surgery had slight numbness tingling in ring finger and little finger. Also had the sensation that I bumped my funny bone on a constant basis.
After surgery WOW has gotten worse. The numbness in my ring and little fingers has magnified times one million. Both fingers are not only numb but it feels like pins and needles on a constant basis not only that but both fingers have loss of feeling if that makes sense.
Theres a place in my elbow that is completely numb and has no feeling at all. I cant raise my arm or lower my arm completely. I keep getting muscle cramps (charlie horses) in my forearm. Does any of this subside or does it mean the surgery didnt work. Should I be having extreme numbness and tingling after surgery? Or does this go away after a few weeks. Went to get my fingernails done at a salon a few days ago couldnt even feel the lady put nails on my two fingers.
hi i had ulnar nerve transportation surgery done on my left elbow in march… does any one no what the string is running through the wound it has more or less healed but i dont understand the string. it doesnt zig zag through like a stitch just runs in a line and tied at both ends . went to GP asked what it was but the only response back was leave it alone?????… anyone?
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Ok so I had Ulner nerve surgery about three years ago on my right arm and now it feels great great, but I just recently had it on my left I am 1 week into it and my fingers are still numb and actually worse and I have this shrap burning in my hand and wrist, I never had this feeling in the right and I so very upset with the Dr they say its normal but I think they are full of BS.
I have been dealing with neck pain for a few years now. I have had epidural shots and been treated with pain medication. My herniated disks are in the upper neck of my spine. Those shots didn’t last very long unfortunately…only like a week or so.
Great comment, love the design of the site too.
I also had ulnar nerve replacement in my right elbow,,I am right handed,,and this was in march of 2010 ,I still have numbness in elbow and i still have tiggleing in my hand,,workmans comp could care less and wish i would just go away,,i had to retrain myself on how to pick things up,open things,i cant throw a ball for the life of me,,my arm will never be the same and the scar is not pretty either,,i cant pick up my grandchildren they know already and say grandma is that your bad arm,,so unhappy,,but the worst part is workmans comp,couldnt care less,,i thought we as americans would be taken care of i guess not,,at least not in my case.
I had two surgeries. The first one was on my left elbow for Ulnar Nerve – I had that done by a private specialist instead of workman’s comp. The second surgery was on my right arm and this time I went through WC and what a big mistake. My left arm healed up very nicely and quickly with no problems. My right arm is getting worse and it’s been almost 3 years since I’ve had it done. Since I was retiring they told me to live with it and that it will get better since I won’t be working!!! Well, I am now going back to my own doctor to find out if I can reopen the WC case so they can fix my arm right. I am very disappointed with WC and hope they will reopen the case because my arm just gets worse. I believe we just need to keep going back until are bodies are at lest 90% correct. Isn’t that why the doctors get paid the big bucks?
I had Ulnar nerve surgery in May of 2011; I am still having problems lifting things up and typing is extreamly difficult. My biggest concern was finding a job. People with this problem if it doesn’t get better have problems finding work especially when many jobs require people to be able to lift so much in weight. Right now I am having enough problems lifting 5-10 pounds. Hopfefully it will get better in time. I am only 29 and was hoping to have complete use of my arms.