Update from surgery

This is the first post where I am attempting to type with both hands.  The swelling has disappeared as well as most of the bruising.  This is the first time in several months that there is no pain in my hand.  There is still pain in the incision site and when I bend my elbow but that is being worked on.  I will get the stitches out on Friday of this week.  Hopefully the pain in my elbow dissipates and all will return to better than what normal was.  This is a picture I took today to show the bruising has diminished greatly.

Link to more information about cubital tunnel syndrome

Wikipedia Article

Days 1-4

This post will cover the day of surgery through day 4.  I apologize for the timeline being out of order for my experience but the creation of this blog was an afterthought that came from after my surgery.

• Day 1, the day of surgery (31 Mar 2011)
• Arrived at hospital at 0530 to begin the check-in process.  Through the morning nurses and the doctor came in to verify information.  The doctor signed the elbow to be operated on.
• Next I was transferred to pre-op and they inserted the IV into the back of my right hand (very unpleasant).  Here I met the anesthesiologist and was given something to relax.  
• I was then transported to the operating room and situated to where the doctor wanted me to be.  
• After this I was put under and don't remember anything until I woke up in the recovery area.  I was held here for about a half hour before transfer back to my pre-op room.
• Was held here for an hour before being released.  My next appointment was for a follow-up visit the following Wednesday.  I was given my medications and wheeled down to my ride.  
• There wasn't any pain this day until about the middle of the night.
• Night 1
• I slept well until 0130 when I woke up for about an hour.  I took another pain med and waited for it to kick in.  I woke up at 0530 and repeated this process.
• I woke up for the day at 0730 and ate a small breakfast.  No nausea or symptoms other than pain to this point.
• Day 2
• Slight pain that is very manageable with the prescribed pain medication.  
• Biggest complaint is the itching.  This is under the bandage, but also most places you can't reach with the right arm.
• Walking around hurts, there are small shots of pain with each footstep.
• My appetite is normal as is my ability to eat.
• Observations at the end of the day:
• Pain is very unpleasant, manageable with the medications.
• Daily activities are difficult with only one arm.
• No energy and barely moved through the day.
• Night 2
• Not much different.  Woke up at 0345 in some pain.  Woke up for the day at 0745 and took a pain medication.
• Day 3
• Pain remains the same.
• Swelling is still present, as is noticeable bruising above the bandage.
• Percocet is known to cause constipation, and today was the first bowel movement since the surgery.  The doctor also gave a stool softener to take with the percocet.
• Not allowed to shower yet so I washed my hair in the tub and took a field bath with some wet wipes to freshen up a bit.
• Noticed more energy today although I still stayed in bed and rested all day.
• Itching continues to be the worst.
• Night 3
• Slept ok, and nothing different than previous 2 nights.
• Day 4
• As per instructions removed the bandage and took a shower.  See the first picture posted of the incision.  
• It is about an 8" incision.
• Still swollen with a lot of bruising.  The bruising looks bad but doesn't hurt.
• Re-wrapped and continued to rest.

What happened prior to surgery:

This will be the start of my journey with cubital tunnel syndrome.  Hope you can take something from my experiences.

• I'm not sure what brought on the onset of my symptoms.  One day after going to the gym for organized PT I noticed some mild numbness in the small fingers of my left hand and didn't think too much of it.  This then continued for about 2 weeks and the mild numbness had gone to completely numb.
• After about 2 weeks of hoping it would correct itself I sought out medical advice.  The doctor happened to specialize in orthopedics.  He attempted to loosen the inflamed nerve and advised to take ibuprofen regularly.  If not better in a month to come back for another appointment.
• I then returned for another visit as there were no changes.  This time I saw a different doctor.  He did a few quick tests to see what was going on and decided it was an ulnar nerve issue (funny bone).  He then prescribed a steroid and a different NSAID.  Also to follow up with him in one week.
• At the follow up there was no change.  He then referred me to a neurologist.
• At this time I was experiencing pain, numbness, weakness all in the left hand.  Working at a computer was difficult and extra time was required to complete routine tasks at work.
• Neurologist appointment is about 2 weeks later and was just a consultation to determine what is needed.
• Next appointment is about a week later where an EMG is performed.  This was painful and quite unpleasant.  From the results I am diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome in both arms.  Enter the start of issues in my right arm / hand.  
• I then have a follow up with the neurologist in 3 weeks where I am finally given some medications to help with pain (neurontin and mobic).  At this time I am also referred to a surgeon to determine the next step.
• My right hand is now starting to have similar issues except for the numbness that presented in the left hand.
• The orthopedic surgeon takes about another 2 weeks.  At this appointment he does a few tests to determine strength and looks at the EMG results.  He determines there is weakness developing in my left hand and that surgery is available for Thursday 24 Mar 2011.  This was on 21 Mar 2011.  For work I needed more time as a notice as I would need 2 weeks off work for recovery.  Surgery scheduled for 31 Mar 2011.
• Surgery was slated for ulnar nerve decompression but ended up being subcutaneous ulnar nerve transposition.

Day 5 continued

I have had a decent day.  I have been able to clean up the apartment a bit and have done a few minor errands.  Pain has been minimal, although I have noticed that my left arm and both legs have started to involuntarily twitch. It is minor and annoying more than anything.  I will address this with the doctor tomorrow and report with the answer tomorrow evening.  The use of only one arm is irritating but I am getting used to it.  Hopefully I will be able to gain some limited use after I see the doctor tomorrow.

Day 5

This is Day 5 using a digital camera.  Both previous photos were taken with my phone and don't show the colors as well.  Pain through the day but swelling has gone down.  Incision appears to be healing well.  It is bruised and discolored but not sore like a bruise normally is.

Day 3 after surgery

It looks worse than it feels.  it is about an 8 inch incision.  Light bruising and mild pain.

Picture of bandage post operation

First post, please check back soon for my full experience.

Today is my first day post ulnar nerve transposition surgery.  All went well with no complications.  There is some pain but not a lot more than was normal leading up to surgery.  There are limitations and problems for daily activities using one arm.  I would suggest practice with one arm prior to your procedure.   Please ask questions and I will answer them as soon as I can.  I will also be posting my entire experience here soon.