Day 7: Stitches Removed

Went to my surgeon's office for my first post-op visit.  He removed the bandage and wrap (which felt wonderful!) and then removed the stitches.  My whole forearm is swollen from the upper elbow down.

I was told:

1. Keep the arm in the sling for two more weeks.
2. My incision can get wet in the shower but avoid the direct spray of water.
3. Absolutely no baths or hot tubs.
4. Stretch and flex my fingers regularly.
5. Occasionally flex my arm gently but still do not straighten.  He demonstrated the range of motion I should be doing.

I am having difficulty sleeping because I usually sleep on my side.  I have found the best way to get comfortable is to sleep without the sling.  I grasp a small throw pillow gently, keeping my arm in the same position.  The sling kept my arm pressed against my body which was uncomfortable for me.  So doing this alleviated that a bit.

Days 3-6

Playing catch-up here.  I have been busy lately and there is not all that much to report.  Things are progressing as expected.  Still no pain from the incision site.  Most of the pain I am experiencing comes from my upper arm and shoulder from being in a sling.  Even if I remove the sling for a while, the pain is still present from keeping my arm in a bent position.  It would be very bad to straighten my arm at this point!

Day 2

Woke up today and had feeling in my pinkie again. No numbness or tingling.  That is good news.

No pain and still not taking any meds except my antibiotic. Only pain was when I accidentally bumped my arm on a chair. Gotta be more careful I guess.

Getting dressed and showering is a pain but that was to be expected.

EDIT: After talking to the nurse who called to check on me, I learned that the numbness in my pinkie was due to a nerve block.  Once that wore off I was fine.

Day 1: Day of Surgery, First Day of Recovery

Surgery was today around noon.  It lasted between 60 and 90 minutes.  I spent approximately 1 hour in the recovery room.

I am in a sling and the incision is covered.  My hand and exposed arm is covered with a sticky yellow substance which is some kind of disinfectant used for the surgery.  I was prescribed an antibiotic as well. I can't remember if I will be in this sling for two or three weeks total.  Will update once I talk to my doctor. 

It is now 7:30pm and I am not in any pain.  I remember that I did not have any pain either when I had my right arm done.  What does concern me is that my ring and pinkie fingers are numb and tingling.  In fact I don't seem to have any feeling at all in my pinkie.  This did not happen last time.  In fact, I remember my doctor asked me during my first post-op visit if I was feeling any numbness or tingling.  When I said "no" he indicated that was a good sign.  So now I am wondering if this is a bad sign.  My first post-op visit is scheduled for Thursday.  I guess I will find out then. But I plan on calling my doctor on Monday and letting him know.. so maybe I'll have an answer before Thursday.

Speaking of Thursday, I will be getting my stitches out that day.  I find it amazing that this is done a mere 6 days after surgery.  

-A.L

PS It sucks typing with one hand!

About This Blog

If you found this blog, chances are you are interested in knowing what to expect with the recovery involved with ulnar nerve transposition surgery.  I had it done on my right arm in February, 2014.  As I prepared to have it done on my left arm in April, 2015, I found myself unable to recall my recovery timeline.  So I decided to create this blog in case there are others out there in the same boat.  I will post on this blog throughout my recovery in hopes that it will give others who require the surgery a general idea of what to expect. Obviously everyone is different so please understand your symptoms and recovery time may differ from mine.  If you have questions along the way, feel free to send me an email.  Not that I am an expert, but I will have been through it twice so I can probably offer some quality insights.