Ulna nerve transposition surgery

[vonniesims]

Has anyone had this surgery to move the ulna nerve around the elbow?I have numb fingers and muscle wastage in my hand due to the elbow joint compressing the nerve

[Kags1068]

Hi Vonnie

Sorry to hear you are having this problem. I had this op done on my left (dominant hand) elbow in 2012. I was experiencing moderate numbness in little and ring finger, but electric shock type pains down my arm through my wrist. It was agony. I also kept having the sensation of hot water running down my arm. A nerve conduction test showed it was severely compressed. I was due to have rotator cuff surgery on my shoulder on the same side. When I was admitted I was in so much pain with the nerve (despite gabapentin), I asked the surgeon to do that operation instead. Fortunately, I did already know him as he'd previously operated on.my hands. He said he'd see what he could do. To my surprise, when I woke up, he had done both operations on the same arm. The recovery was mainly focused around the shoulder so I don't remember having to specifically do anything for the elbow. It was in a sling for a few weeks, partly because the elbow had to be. I don't remember it being particularly painful, although the shoulder was. The awful nerve pain stopped immediately, and thankfully the feeling in my fingers mostly returned to normal over time. I was so grateful to the surgeon. My right elbow is severely compressed now, the nerve pain isn't as bad yet, but the numbness is much worse. My little finger and side of hand are completely numb and I can't tell if the finger is bent or straight and often double check as it feels like it isn't there! I would like to have it done, but my old surgeon has retired, and the new younger surgeon I saw is very reluctant to get involved despite the muscle wasteage etc i now have too. If you are really struggling, and the surgery has been offered, I would seriously consider it. It's one of the best and most helpful ops I've had. Just got to find someone now who will brave doing the other one!🙄

I do hope this has re-assurred you, and good luck with whatever you decide.

Best wishes😊

[vonniesims in reply to Kags1068]

Thankyou Kags. The surgeon I saw in Bradford wouldn't do it and referred me to Wrightington hosp where the surgeon is quite happy to do it so have pre- op in a couple of weeks. Then he said he would do my left one which is not as bad.He did say he would do an elbow replacement, but if I can get away with this I will try. I do feel reassured thankyou

[RAGuy]

Hi Vonnie

I had an operation to free my ulna nerve 4 years ago. This was done while I was awake using nerve block injections in my upper arm. It was very effective, and I do not remember it being a painful recovery at all. The one problem I did have was getting an infection and needing antibiotics. It cleared up after two courses of treatment but delayed restating my RA meds even more. It happens, and although it put me back a bit, I would be happy to go through it again.

Wrightington Hospital is where I had my Knee replacement, and my shoulder re-surfaced a dozen years ago or more. They did superb work. My consultant at the Royal Derby, where I had my elbow op, was trained by the surgeon who did my shoulder! A small world indeed.

So, thumbs up for both the ulna op and wrightington from me. I hope your experience is the same.

Best wishes

[vonniesims in reply to RAGuy]

Thankyou. I feel reassured. I am going there even though it is a 90 min drive away as it is classed as a centre of excellence.I think the hand surgeon I saw in bradford trained there!