It was one week yesterday since I had the operation and my 1st appointment to see the physio team. I had the big bandage removed and discovered my operating surgeons had used internal dissolving stitches and glue so theres no need for removal of any stitches. 1st time i've also got to see the wound and although its approx 5.5" -6" the surgeons have done a brilliant job and my physio thinks the scar will be un-noticable. Feels great to have the bandage off and have now been given exercises to strengthen the muscles in my wrist and hand and to keep my elbow moving. Still unable to drive and been told to take it easy for the next 2 weeks then I have to return to physio and will hopefully be discharged back to the care of my consultant. Pain has eased though it burns when I knock it or my toddler jumps without notice.
Had a very busy day yesterday between my appointment and 2 others within my family so by 7pm last night I was in bed which really is not me. Woke at 7am with a migraine and feeling generally ill and on speaking to the doctors i'm told it's the trauma my body has been through with the op and doing far too much in the 1st week home following surgery. Husband removed all phones and laptop from our bedroom and was ordered to get the bed rest I need to recover. Finally got up at 11.45am and not done a thing all day till now writing this blog. Think the moral of this story is if your going for ulnar nerve decompression make sure you have lots of support at home and no matter how bored you get don't be tempted to carry on as normal like I did.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Saturday, 24 April 2010
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2010 to FRIDAY 23 APRIL 2010
WEDNESDAY
Having had a full nights sleep I woke feeling much better. Not much feeling to the operated arm other than a slight pain so I resumed my codeine phosphate tablets which was enough to kill the pain. Managed a walk into town with the husband and back then a relaxing afternoon sat out on the decking. Again took my meds at night and slept straight through
THURSDAY
Woke to no pain at all in the operated arm but still had meds to take due to another health problem I have. Had a relaxing day and the little one decided it was now time to jump all over mummy so now the bandage is loose and hanging off. Another evening of relaxinf and an attempt to get a bath ended up with me needing help to get out of the bath. I decided to try a night off the diazapam as it can be addictive and I only take it when my neck and back are extremely bad. Woke once in night but all in all I had a good nights sleep.
FRIDAY
Bandage was almost off and stitches exposed so I had no choice but to ring the hospital. Advised to ring docs and go for dressing changing which I did. Nurse didnt do a good job and by teatime it was loose again. Oh well I suppose thats the draw back of having a 20 month old lol.
Having had a full nights sleep I woke feeling much better. Not much feeling to the operated arm other than a slight pain so I resumed my codeine phosphate tablets which was enough to kill the pain. Managed a walk into town with the husband and back then a relaxing afternoon sat out on the decking. Again took my meds at night and slept straight through
THURSDAY
Woke to no pain at all in the operated arm but still had meds to take due to another health problem I have. Had a relaxing day and the little one decided it was now time to jump all over mummy so now the bandage is loose and hanging off. Another evening of relaxinf and an attempt to get a bath ended up with me needing help to get out of the bath. I decided to try a night off the diazapam as it can be addictive and I only take it when my neck and back are extremely bad. Woke once in night but all in all I had a good nights sleep.
FRIDAY
Bandage was almost off and stitches exposed so I had no choice but to ring the hospital. Advised to ring docs and go for dressing changing which I did. Nurse didnt do a good job and by teatime it was loose again. Oh well I suppose thats the draw back of having a 20 month old lol.
20TH APRIL 2010
1 Day after the operation and to be fair I had a horrible night. Couldn't sleep for fear my arm would be knocked by the hubby. I was still awake at 3.40 am then next time I checked the clock it was 4.15am. Tried to sleep and ended up waking up and staying up pottering about.
Spent the day dosed up on co-codamol/paracetamol prescribed by the hospital and cuddling my little boy who had missed his mum lots the day before so he was very clingy. Tried in vain to sleep but each time I got any shut eye the phone rang or a visitor arrived. My 8 year old turned 9 today so the day had to be as normal as possible with him having autism so visitors came and went all day.
11pm and I was still awake so the husband handed me one of my regular diazapam I take for muscle spasms since the car accident and asleep I went :-)
Spent the day dosed up on co-codamol/paracetamol prescribed by the hospital and cuddling my little boy who had missed his mum lots the day before so he was very clingy. Tried in vain to sleep but each time I got any shut eye the phone rang or a visitor arrived. My 8 year old turned 9 today so the day had to be as normal as possible with him having autism so visitors came and went all day.
11pm and I was still awake so the husband handed me one of my regular diazapam I take for muscle spasms since the car accident and asleep I went :-)
RIGHT CUBITAL TUNNEL (ULNAR NERVE) DECOMPRESSION) 19 APRIL 2010
Since discovering I was to have this operation I have scoured every internet site I could find on any blogs of people who have had this operation and having come across only 2 which didnt give me the information I was after to put me at ease I decided to do this blog.
I was booked in to hosptial day case to have the operation under general anesthetic at 12.30pm so I was instructed I could eat up until 7.30 am and drink water till 10.30am. I set my alarm clock for 6.30am to give me chance to eat breakfast but the alarm didnt wake me and I found I only had time for 1 slice of toast at 7.20am.
I then spent the morning making sure all housework was sorted, food shopping had been ordered and the kids uniforms sorted for the entire week. I also made sure my husband knew what needed to be done in the event I was kept in as we have 3 children (11 year old, 8 year old with autism and a 20 month old). I had a bath and drank my last glass of water at 10.20am then spent some quality time with the little one before I was picked up.
I arrived at the hospital at 12.10pm and directed once again to a large waiting room. At 1.00pm I was called into the ward and directed to a bed. The ward had 14 beds of which 2 morning procedures were heading home and 2 had just gone to theatre for small procedures and were in out and home before I had chance to get booked in. That left me on my part of the ward :-(. Nurse came and asked me questions, gave me the ID bracelet and left me to my own device for an hour till the first of the surgeons came to talk to me. He explained the procedure and drew a large arrow in black marker down my arm. I signed the consent form and sat waiting for the next one of the medical team to arrive. By 1.30pm the next one to see me was my main surgeon who asked me how things were did a few taps of the elbow proving the problem still existed then said he would see me shortly. Finally the anaethetist arrived at 1.45pm and explained I would be hooked up to a heart and blood pressure monitor and once asleep I would have a breathing tube inserted though it would be removed before I was woken back up.
Luckily I had taken 2 magazines to read and do puzzles in and the nurse assured me I was third on list and would be home by 6pm at the latest. I was told she would let me know when it was time to get changed for theatre.
Finally at 4pm the nurse came and said time to get ready for theatre and handed me a lovely sexy gown that tied at the back. Had my last trip to the loo and then sat back on my bed waiting for the nurses to arrive to check me for theatre. At 4.10pm two nurses came and said time now and checked my ID bracelet once again. I was walked to theatre and handed over to a lovely caring nurse, a second anaethetist and the anaethetist I had met earlier. The nurse attached a blood pressure monitor to my arm and sticky dots all over my chest to minitor my heart rate though my skin wasnt accepting the sticky dots and the machine wasnt working so 20 minutes later and the nurse was still messing lol. We chatted about anything general where we lived, work, kids stuff like that and then the main anaethetist came along with a needle inserting it into my left hand for the venflow butterfly needle to go so meds could be administered. Sharp scratch and it was all over. He then brought owver 2 viles one small filled with water and a second large one filled with a creamy substance. Told me 3 to go and by this point I was thinking wheres the third vile. Saw the 1st one go in then as the second one was administered the anathetisyt was asking me questions I could feel myself drifting and had a few seconds spare to say it was burning my head tiny bit next thing I was out for the count.
Next thing I remember I woke with a fuzzy head in recovery and it was 6.25pm so the plans to get me home for 6pm didnt go too well. I woke in moderate pain but within seconds the surgeon and the nurse quickly administered tramadol through the IV and the pain disappeared. By 6.45pm I was back on ward and told the operation had taken 31 minutes. Head still whoozy and fuzzy the nurses plyed me with 2 strong cups of coffee with 2 sugars and a slice of toast then sed mum was on her way as they had rung worried as it was rather late. The nurses finished at 7.30pm so they basically rushed me out of the doors high on tramadol and anaesthetic.
All in all my experience of the operation was positive, sent home with a large ace bandage from top of the arm to wrist and elevated in a sling.
I was booked in to hosptial day case to have the operation under general anesthetic at 12.30pm so I was instructed I could eat up until 7.30 am and drink water till 10.30am. I set my alarm clock for 6.30am to give me chance to eat breakfast but the alarm didnt wake me and I found I only had time for 1 slice of toast at 7.20am.
I then spent the morning making sure all housework was sorted, food shopping had been ordered and the kids uniforms sorted for the entire week. I also made sure my husband knew what needed to be done in the event I was kept in as we have 3 children (11 year old, 8 year old with autism and a 20 month old). I had a bath and drank my last glass of water at 10.20am then spent some quality time with the little one before I was picked up.
I arrived at the hospital at 12.10pm and directed once again to a large waiting room. At 1.00pm I was called into the ward and directed to a bed. The ward had 14 beds of which 2 morning procedures were heading home and 2 had just gone to theatre for small procedures and were in out and home before I had chance to get booked in. That left me on my part of the ward :-(. Nurse came and asked me questions, gave me the ID bracelet and left me to my own device for an hour till the first of the surgeons came to talk to me. He explained the procedure and drew a large arrow in black marker down my arm. I signed the consent form and sat waiting for the next one of the medical team to arrive. By 1.30pm the next one to see me was my main surgeon who asked me how things were did a few taps of the elbow proving the problem still existed then said he would see me shortly. Finally the anaethetist arrived at 1.45pm and explained I would be hooked up to a heart and blood pressure monitor and once asleep I would have a breathing tube inserted though it would be removed before I was woken back up.
Luckily I had taken 2 magazines to read and do puzzles in and the nurse assured me I was third on list and would be home by 6pm at the latest. I was told she would let me know when it was time to get changed for theatre.
Finally at 4pm the nurse came and said time to get ready for theatre and handed me a lovely sexy gown that tied at the back. Had my last trip to the loo and then sat back on my bed waiting for the nurses to arrive to check me for theatre. At 4.10pm two nurses came and said time now and checked my ID bracelet once again. I was walked to theatre and handed over to a lovely caring nurse, a second anaethetist and the anaethetist I had met earlier. The nurse attached a blood pressure monitor to my arm and sticky dots all over my chest to minitor my heart rate though my skin wasnt accepting the sticky dots and the machine wasnt working so 20 minutes later and the nurse was still messing lol. We chatted about anything general where we lived, work, kids stuff like that and then the main anaethetist came along with a needle inserting it into my left hand for the venflow butterfly needle to go so meds could be administered. Sharp scratch and it was all over. He then brought owver 2 viles one small filled with water and a second large one filled with a creamy substance. Told me 3 to go and by this point I was thinking wheres the third vile. Saw the 1st one go in then as the second one was administered the anathetisyt was asking me questions I could feel myself drifting and had a few seconds spare to say it was burning my head tiny bit next thing I was out for the count.
Next thing I remember I woke with a fuzzy head in recovery and it was 6.25pm so the plans to get me home for 6pm didnt go too well. I woke in moderate pain but within seconds the surgeon and the nurse quickly administered tramadol through the IV and the pain disappeared. By 6.45pm I was back on ward and told the operation had taken 31 minutes. Head still whoozy and fuzzy the nurses plyed me with 2 strong cups of coffee with 2 sugars and a slice of toast then sed mum was on her way as they had rung worried as it was rather late. The nurses finished at 7.30pm so they basically rushed me out of the doors high on tramadol and anaesthetic.
All in all my experience of the operation was positive, sent home with a large ace bandage from top of the arm to wrist and elevated in a sling.
RIGHT CUBITAL TUNNEL (ULNAR NERVE) DECOMPRESSION) 12 JANUARY 2010
Unfortunatley due to a car accident in December and severe snow we had my operation had to be delayed and new date set for 19 April 2010
RE-VISIT TO SEE CONSULTANT SEPTEMBER 2009
Following Carpal Tunnel decompression surgery I once again saw my surgeon with the pins and needles/pain/loss of grip to my little and ring finger on my right hand and also to discuss the left hand. I couldn't close my little finger inwards which detected a nerve problem was laying elsewhere. He once again sent me for an EMG which again was nothing like some people described it and also as a precaution an ultra sound with jelly on a probe that the doc ran up and down my arm for any signs of swellings or cysts. The EMG showed the Carpal Tunnel Operation had been a success and no detection of a problem at the ulnar nerve. The Ultra sound showed swelling on the median nerve.
Although the EMG showed nothing significant to the right hand by way of the ulnar nerve the fact I was suffering with pain and the tappin on my elbow showed signs was enough for the surgeon to decide right Cubital Tunnel Decompression was required as well as left Carpal Tunnel as the EMG showed deterioration in the left carpal tunnel nerve.
Surgery was booked in for 12 January 2010
Although the EMG showed nothing significant to the right hand by way of the ulnar nerve the fact I was suffering with pain and the tappin on my elbow showed signs was enough for the surgeon to decide right Cubital Tunnel Decompression was required as well as left Carpal Tunnel as the EMG showed deterioration in the left carpal tunnel nerve.
Surgery was booked in for 12 January 2010
RIGHT CARPAL TUNNEL DECOMPRESSION 8 JUNE 2009
On the morning of the surgery I was allowed to eat and drink as normal as the procedure was to be carried out whilst I was awake under local anaesthetic. I arrived with my husband at 12.30pm on ward along with approximately 26 other people all waiting for minor surgery. One by one we were taken for blood pressure check, sign the consent forms, meet with a surgeon and to be marked with a big black arrow showing where the operation was going to take place. Given an ID bracelet so we couldn't escape then sent back into the large room to wait in turn.
Unfortunately I was the very last one to theatre and my surgeon explained I was going to be less complicated so therefore he had left me till last. He ended up eating these words in the end!. I was allowed to keep my own clothes on and they put a theatre gown over my own clothes and walked me to theatre after checking my ID bracelet was who it sed I was.
Once in theatre I was asked to lay down on the Operating bed given a nice comfy cushion to lay on and my consultant spoke to me whilst another guy covered me in warm yellow iodine from top to bottom of my right arm. A tournequet was tightened to the top of my arm to stop blood flowing and pins and needles set into my hand for a short time. I felt the 1st of the local aneasthetics go in and after that my right hand felt numb and triple the size. The team set to work in decompressing the nerve to my carpal tunnel though I turned out to be an awkward customer and the nerve kept turning to the left each time they tried for it. Two surgeons and 40 minutes later and the op was over, 9 stitches applied to the palm of my hand, heavily bandaged and then after 60 minutes led out of theatre on foot to my waiting husband and by then dad had arrived to take me home. Worth noting everyone else who had same procedure walked back to the ward after 30 minutes so I was a little later than average.
The bandage remained in place for a week and was given an appointment for the hand therapy unit. At this appointment they removed the bandage and covered the stitches over with a low adherent dressing. They gave me 2 spares in case the one they put on fell off and found over the course of the week it cost me a firtune buying a dozen spares as they lasted half a day because of the positioning of the wound.
Two weeks after the operation I had the stitches removed and was given light physio to work on getting my hand and wrist moving again. Taking out the stitches I felt nothing, the hardest part was the recovery, my hand was reluctant to move backwards and the scar was tender and sore for a while till the moisturising cream started to soften the area.
Conclusion to this operation is i'm glad I had it done, surgeon said if it had been left I would eventually lose all use of the thumb and 2 fingers. Due to the number of years I suffered with the problem I had already lost some muscle use and nerves and these won't return. The operation was simply to stop any further problems.
After all the phsyio which lasted 3 months approx I was sent back to see the surgeon as I was experiencing numbness and severe pins and needles into my little and ring finger again in the right hand and still in the left thunb and 2 fingers.
Unfortunately I was the very last one to theatre and my surgeon explained I was going to be less complicated so therefore he had left me till last. He ended up eating these words in the end!. I was allowed to keep my own clothes on and they put a theatre gown over my own clothes and walked me to theatre after checking my ID bracelet was who it sed I was.
Once in theatre I was asked to lay down on the Operating bed given a nice comfy cushion to lay on and my consultant spoke to me whilst another guy covered me in warm yellow iodine from top to bottom of my right arm. A tournequet was tightened to the top of my arm to stop blood flowing and pins and needles set into my hand for a short time. I felt the 1st of the local aneasthetics go in and after that my right hand felt numb and triple the size. The team set to work in decompressing the nerve to my carpal tunnel though I turned out to be an awkward customer and the nerve kept turning to the left each time they tried for it. Two surgeons and 40 minutes later and the op was over, 9 stitches applied to the palm of my hand, heavily bandaged and then after 60 minutes led out of theatre on foot to my waiting husband and by then dad had arrived to take me home. Worth noting everyone else who had same procedure walked back to the ward after 30 minutes so I was a little later than average.
The bandage remained in place for a week and was given an appointment for the hand therapy unit. At this appointment they removed the bandage and covered the stitches over with a low adherent dressing. They gave me 2 spares in case the one they put on fell off and found over the course of the week it cost me a firtune buying a dozen spares as they lasted half a day because of the positioning of the wound.
Two weeks after the operation I had the stitches removed and was given light physio to work on getting my hand and wrist moving again. Taking out the stitches I felt nothing, the hardest part was the recovery, my hand was reluctant to move backwards and the scar was tender and sore for a while till the moisturising cream started to soften the area.
Conclusion to this operation is i'm glad I had it done, surgeon said if it had been left I would eventually lose all use of the thumb and 2 fingers. Due to the number of years I suffered with the problem I had already lost some muscle use and nerves and these won't return. The operation was simply to stop any further problems.
After all the phsyio which lasted 3 months approx I was sent back to see the surgeon as I was experiencing numbness and severe pins and needles into my little and ring finger again in the right hand and still in the left thunb and 2 fingers.
VISIT TO SURGEON IN NOVEMBER 2008
Finally in November 2008 when my baby was 6 months old I was referred to see a consultant plastic surgeon at the hospital. I was sent for an EMG (Electromyogram) and this was done December 2008. This test was nothing compared to the horror stories I had heard. My hands were wired to a machine that sent tiny impulses to each nerve in the fingers and arms. A little strange more than anything as it jotled my fingers without me doing anything. The resutls were sent back to the consultant who in March 2009 decided the results showed I had Bi-Lateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (suffering from it in both hands) though the right hand was much more severe than the left. I was booked in for surgery (Right Carpal Tunnel Release) for 8 June 2009.
INTRODUCTION
Having searched hundreds of sites over the last 5 months on the subject Cubital Tunnel Decompression (Ulnar Nerve) and surgery I decided to write this blog as my own experience. During trying to find information I could find loads on Cubital Tunnel Decompression but only a couple where scarce information of the operation were actually written.
In 2001 following the birth of my son I began to experience mild pins and needles and waking regular in the night feeling my hands were double the size. On a visit to my doctor I was given the needle prick test and told perhaps nerves were trapped but to leave it to go away on it own. I suffered in silence thinking this was nothing out of the ordinary and in 2008 I had my second little baby boy. Following his birth I suffered once again with the pain, swelling and pins and needles but this time to a degree that I had lost grip and sensation and having dropped the baby bottle twice onto my sleepy newborn I had to hand control to my husband fof night feeds and return once again to my doctors. My doctor listened this time and decided sending me to see a consultant plastic surgeon was my best option.
In 2001 following the birth of my son I began to experience mild pins and needles and waking regular in the night feeling my hands were double the size. On a visit to my doctor I was given the needle prick test and told perhaps nerves were trapped but to leave it to go away on it own. I suffered in silence thinking this was nothing out of the ordinary and in 2008 I had my second little baby boy. Following his birth I suffered once again with the pain, swelling and pins and needles but this time to a degree that I had lost grip and sensation and having dropped the baby bottle twice onto my sleepy newborn I had to hand control to my husband fof night feeds and return once again to my doctors. My doctor listened this time and decided sending me to see a consultant plastic surgeon was my best option.
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