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.
I'm ready to get the same surgery on April 17th. I'm 38 years old with many chronic illnesses, Sjogren's Syndrome too. I did have carpal tunnel surgery on both hands. I wasn't given any information on needing help showering or getting dressed everyday. Any advice on that?
ReplyDeleteHi Sara. You will unfortunately be pretty much limited to one arm for about the first month of recovery. If you have someone who is able to help you get dressed, it is a huge help. If not, the main trouble (at least for me) was socks and shirt. Those two items were troublesome to do with only one arm. But it is possible!
ReplyDeleteAs for showering, I didn't have too much trouble. Just follow your doctor's instructions about keeping the incision area dry. This was pretty easy to accomplish and I basically just used my other hand to do the scrubbing.
I have ulnar nerve damage in both arms with surgery scheduled for next week on my left arm. I have not gotten a definitive cause of cubital tunnel in both arms. Can you shed any light on what caused yours?
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew. To this day it is a mystery. I play sports but cannot think of anything that could have possibly caused it. I was born with several abnormalities: heart defect, unable to bend three toes, skull partially not fused, missing a tooth, etc. Although not confirmed by a doctor, I believe I was just born that way.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your reply. My name is Lynn and I agree, I guess I am just born this way. I've asked my son (who is 3rd year med student). His reply was, well mom, you're 63 years old and it could just be your anatomy. Why do some people get cancer? Sometimes there aren't answers. Anyway, I've had Ulnar nerve damage in my left arm for 6 months now. I have googled and read everything I could find about cubital tunnel syndrome. There really isn't a lot of info out there. Then, I found your blog and it not only made me feel better about the fact that I'm not the only one who has it bilaterally, but I do appreciate info on your timeline! While I realize everyone can experience a different recovery, your blog has answered so many questions. Thank you for tracking yours! As I mentioned, I am having surgery on my left arm this Tuesday, 1/8. My right arm is almost as bad. Did you have nerve pain in both of your arms at the same time? You waited 2 years for the second surgery. Always thankful for any insight you can provide! Lynn
DeleteThanks for the kind words. I just wish I could better organize it. I kind of have comments all over the place now!
ReplyDeleteI did not have pain at the same time. My right arm was the only side that bothered me for the longest time. It was only until after I had the surgery on my right arm that my left arm started showing symptoms. It never got very bad, but I wanted to have the surgery and take care of it before it did. I think my left arm got worse because I was forced to use it more while my right arm recovered.
Good luck on Tuesday! You will do fine!
Thanks, Anthony! I'm scheduled to be at the surgical center tomorrow at 6:30am. Happy to be getting this sugery behind me.
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