Sorry for the sort of off-topic post, but it looks like the numbness in my left little and ring fingers and wrist/forearm will not be resolved without surgery to relocate the ulnar nerve. Just wondering if anyone does this, or has had it done, and what the success rate is and how long the recuperation period might be. This might become a factor for me in planning a hunt.
Thanks for any thoughts.

Bill,

I pinch a nerve in my upper arm every so often that affects my pinky and ring finger; numbness, and lack of dexterity are the major symptoms.

It goes away by itself after a few weeks. If possible, avoid the surgery.

George

Get a second opionion if necessary and ask those questions. Some nerve impingements can permanently damage the nerve and be irreversible if not addressed.

The success rate is excellent---recovery time depends on whether it's moved subcutaneously (under the skin) or buried under a muscle--the second obviously takes a little longer.

Be aware, if the nerve is bad enough now that it actually has to repair/regenerate itself, that may take up to a year or so before most of the sensation returns.

My Mom had to get it done to both arms (elbows) a few years ago, to relieve numbness in the hands. Each one took a few weeks to recover, but both recovered perfectly.

One of her coworkers procrastinated a similar surgery for a few years and ended up with permanent nerve damage.

Its probably worth a second opinion.

I'm a neurosurgeon who does this procedure (although less frequently than I used to).

It's a pretty straight forward and safe procedure.
You'll go home the same day the operation is done.

Just make sure you have given a try to conservative treatment.
I advise my patients to wear a soft elbow pad, turned to the inside to protect the ulnar nerve
where it passes over a groove in the bone.
Once you have some trauma to the nerve, simple compression of it can worsen the symptoms over time (like resting it on the sill of your car window/door).
Other times the nerve won't recover until it's moved, and surgery is the best option.

Still, 6 weeks of conservative treatment isn't a big deal, and may just pay off for you.

Garrett

I've had it done to both arms and wish I had done it sooner. Because of the delay, my fault, I won't get 100% recovery of the strength, coordination and sensation in my hands. I've gotten about 80-85% recovery. Based on my personal experience I'd say do it as soon as you can to avoid permanent nerve damage.

I had both of mine done in May and June of 1996. The surgeon had to do a sub-muscular transfer. I'm 95% on the left and 90% on the right. Without that procedure I would be completely crippled today.

lawndart

Thanks for the replies, guys. Always nice to know there are others in the boat. Glad to hear the healing period isn't too long. Is there a cast or sling involved, or something to keep the arm straight or in some other position?

Bill I had the operation two yrs ago. Mine was done by an Orthopedic surgeon. I also had a bone spur on the elbow. Shooting prone was very painful. I also had the compressed nerve.
My recovery took about 6 wks. I had a half cast with an Ace bandage wrapped around it. My arm was in a 90 deg bend in a sling.
The pain was bad enough that I was sub-conciously protecting my elbow by pulling it in closer to my body that I was cramping the muscles in the neck and shoulder causing even more pain, felt like joint pain.
The only trouble I have had is some tennis elbow. I went back to the same Dr. last week and got a compression band for the fore arm. That has helped considerably. I have another bone spur on the left arm and will have it removed in March.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Thanks for the replies, guys. Always nice to know there are others in the boat. Glad to hear the healing period isn't too long. Is there a cast or sling involved, or something to keep the arm straight or in some other position?

Mine were done a month apart and I took two weeks off work for each. I had to wear a plaster splint (1/2 cast) for about a week, but after 3 days they had be take the splint off 2-3 times a day and do gentle range of motion exercises. After the splints were off I wore elbow pads like skateboarders wear to protect the area for a a while. I had very little pain after the surgery, just the wound was tender. I didn't have the prochedure where they bury the nerve under the muscle, they just moved it under the skin.

quote:

Originally posted by N. Garrett:
I'm a neurosurgeon who does this procedure (although less frequently than I used to).

It's a pretty straight forward and safe procedure.
You'll go home the same day the operation is done.

Garrett

Well,

Usually that is.

I had the same things going on but it was found that I needed a C-spine fusion to relieve the nerves.

I had mine done on December 2 2005, It was not as simple as most as mine was a three level diskectomey and I had 4 vertebra fused C-4 thru C-7.

I was also told that I'd be going home after one days observation and that there would be little or no pain.

That being said I spent 4 days in ICU on a morphine pump 3 days in recovery and the pain was outstanding to say the least.

At first the neurosurgeons thought that I had blood clots in my spinal cord I was sent into a post op MRI as soon as I woke up. The MRI showed nothing. They think it's just major inflammation of the nerves but all nerves involved in the surgery are showing signs being affected.

I was on 80 mg of Oxycotton for 3 weeks and am still on Nuerontin 900mg a day 150 mg Indomethazine and the occasional Percosett.

My index finger, thumb and forearm are still numb.

I've had severe muscle loss and loss of function in my arm, shoulder, and pectoral muscle.

To give you an idea of how sever this has been. I've now lost 4" of girth around my left upper arm, my pectoral muscle is basically gone it's just a mush of lose flab hanging like a geriatrics breast.

I was completely unable to lift my arm until about 3 weeks ago I am now "up" to being able to lift a 2Lb weight over my head.

I am an airline pilot and my career is now in jeopardy.

I don't now if I'll ever be able to shoot again at least not off hand.

This has basically turned my life over.

The doctors have no answers the physical therapists have no answers. This is a very lonely dark place to be.

Be very very careful! Especially if it is found that you need some spine work done to resolve this.

Hopefully yours won't be as serious as mine has turned out to be.

Greg

Surestrike -- I knew you had some early problems but did not realize how badly it was still going. I hope it turns around for you.

Charles,

Thank you please send all the positive energy you can my way. A prayer or two probably wouldn't hurt either.

I am trying to stay positive. But some days are awfully dark.

Once again thank you.

Greg

Surestrike, I wish you a speedy and complete recovery.

Comparing a ulnar nerve transfer to a multi-level cervical diskectomy and fusion is apples and oranges.

That said, Bill, anytime you feel uneasy or skeptical of a surgical procedure, get a second opinion. Good surgeons don't fear them. Bad ones do.