Ulnar nerve

Hi guys, I’m wondering if anyone can give me any help! I’ve spent the last two years suffering with extreme pain, in December I was finally operated on and had my left ulnar nerve released and repositioned! I had no follow up appointments or physio planned by the hospital and unfortunately suffered with the same pain post surgery so I organised to see my surgeon and today was the day! First of all it was the worst hospital appointment I’ve ever experienced, as soon as I walked in and explained I was still in pain my surgeon told me there was nothing more that he could do and it would now be a case of dealing with chronic pain for the rest of my life basically! I’m 24 years old and this seems like such a crazy outcome, I’m so surprised that he’s laid this on the table before even considering any alternative investigations into it! I’ve had no nerve tests done EVER the only thing they’ve done is an MRI 2 years ago.. I’ve asked to be referred for a second opinion which is in 7 weeks time but any advice would be much appreciated.

Wow. I cannot imagine having a transposition done and no p.t. afterward! I was put on Elavil post op, to help with the nerve pain. I also did at least 6 weeks of p.t. which helped desensitize the nerve and keep scar tissue at bay.

Have you been massaging the area? This may help with both nerve sensitivity and scarring.

All of the 'tributary' nerves that had to be severed in order to move the ulnar nerve are also regenerating and hyper sensitive. Then, the tissue that got disturbed to re place the nerve are also healing. The swelling should have stopped by now, though.

If you can, see a neurologist.

Ice helped me the most with the nerve pain as it tended to come on strong intermittently. I rested my forearm on pillows with a heating pad the rest of the time. Massage helped with blood flow and desensitization.

Now that my nerve is 'buried' in the muscles of the forearm, overuse will cause an achy feeling down the length of the new placement. I use Ibuprofen for this. Warm soaks in Epsom salts may help, too.

I cannot rest my forearm on the edge of a table or desk. Bumping my forearm can produce the feeling of 'hitting the funny bone'. I still have some numbness and tingling although it has diminished over time. My injury and surgery were back in 1996.

My additional advice is an occupational Dr. that uses ultrasound to see the nerve. She found the exact spot where all the scar tissue is in my arm near ulnar nerve at the elbow (where transposed.)Had a few steroid lidocaine injections near nerve n scar tissue. Helps for like a month. They are painful as a warning...Best part is it gives you the knowlege to ask your surgeon for a release surgery to clean up what they did before. Mris and emgs are generally useless. My uber painful ulnar nerve tests better than my left arm suprisingly. If its being irritated by scar tissue it will never improve. Don’t listen to the “you have to live with it” lazy Dts.