G Sparman
U.S Navy

This is my situation: six years ago, I dislocated my ulnar nerve while trying too hard to lift weights in the gym of a college I used to go to. I didn’t say anything about it for about 4-5 years until it got to be too much for me. My nerve would constantly move around in the outside of my inner elbow, and I felt sharp shocks at worst if I bent my arm the wrong way or hit that area, and a constantly lingering tugging sensation at best.

So, I had the submuscular ulnar nerve transposition surgery (I was told my arms were probably too scrawny for the subcutaneous one to work).

Most of my pain is gone, but I still occasionally feel shocks in my elbow, almost half the time I try to lift anything with my arms… which makes weight lifting impractical for me and even interferes with a few basic things like changing clothes. I talked to my surgeon again recently, and he told me that a tendon was passing over and pressing down on my nerve now, because of where that nerve was affixed to because of my prior surgery. He thought the tendon was inflamed (golfer’s elbow?), gave me a cortisone injection to bring down the swelling, and sent me on my way.

Three days later, and I’m still feeling these shocks. My arm doesn’t feel any different.

What I don’t understand, is why my nerve can’t just be moved back into the cubital tunnel, where it was when I was born. My surgeon told me that some people’s ligaments just can’t hold the nerve in that tunnel and they were just born that way, insinuating that I was such a person, but I have never had any problems once with my nerve prior to the first time I popped it out of the tunnel, six years ago. Not once before that.

Do I at least have strong enough of a case to seek a second opinion from a different surgeon?

My suggestion for the ladies who are going to have this done is short sleeve or overly big night gowns. For anyone who is thinking about having this done make sure you have a good support system at home because your going to need it. I was hung out to dry with no support or help from my husband and it was sink or swim for me. I was told I couldn’t drive for 2 weeks after the surgery, but had to go out each day to a restaurant to get myself something to eat. I would not suggest driving if your doctor is telling you not to. I had no choice. I am very aggravated with the inability to do simple things such as write my name and hold a coffee cup. I am wondering how long this going to last. I’m in physical therapy and have been 3 times a week since my cast came off. The therapist say’s that I am making good progress. I don’t know, maybe I would feel differently if I had the support that I needed at home.

Maysa

I am actually on this site looking for some answers and some idea’s what to expect from my surgery. I am going in on Feb. 1, 2012 to have the Ulnar Nerve Release surgery with Transposition and also some scar tissue removal. This is actually my 3rd surgery since May 2011 on my Left elbow. This all stemmed from a motorcycle accident and my radial head shattered. I had several months of therapy and my arm in 2 different Dyna-splits due to lack of ROM. So I had to have another surgery to get me better ROM in extension. Once out of the hospital I had the whole numbness, burning, pins and needles feeling in my arm and fingers and palm. It was my whole hand for about a month. After have some nerve testing done and not being able to flex my are past 72 degree’s My Dr told me I have to have this surgery and move the Ulnar nerve behind the muscle.

Now, my question to everyone is: Has anyone had this similar situation? How long will my recovery time be? How long will I need to be off of work and when can I expect to have ROM back to normal in my arm to be able to function normal again?

Thanks in advance… This has been a long process and recovery……