Cubital Tunnel surgery (elbow) anyone?

[CruiserMom]

I may have to have this done. How is the surgery and recovery? I know I have carpal tunnel syndrome in my left wrist, and may have a carpal tunnel release done, so I was thinking that I could have them both done at the same time (same arm).

 

[CruiserMom]

Anyone?

 

[disykat]

I'll be interested to see if you get replies. I have trouble with cubital tunnel too. Fortunately mine seems to be manageable at this point. I just have to be careful when I'm using the computer.

 

[disneymarie]

I may have to have this done. How is the surgery and recovery? I know I have carpal tunnel syndrome in my left wrist, and may have a carpal tunnel release done, so I was thinking that I could have them both done at the same time (same arm).

I have an Uncle that had nerve entrapment in the cervical neck and a daughter and I that have triple crush, the neck, elbow and wrist.

DD had the carpal tunnel release, the Uncle had the cubital tunnel release. Neither were cured. Because it was in the nerve itself, as it traveled behind the color bone, in front of the first rib, everywhere there is a "hinge" joint there is a compression to deal with.

I would suggest further testing; if it is a triple crush, even having the nerve moved from one part of the elbow to the outside part, and opening and cleaning the carpal tunnel are not going to take away the symptoms; it may help.

The nerve is about 3 ft long, traveling from the spine down the arm, to the finger tips.

Do you have ring and pinkie finger problems, your hands fall asleep, unable to hold the phone up or switch hands frequently, also driving. Blow drying the hair one can not hold up the arms.

This is because the compression is starting as you lift the arms, compressing that same nerve up in the shoulder/trapezes and shoulder area.

This can develop from a whiplash type injury, a fall, over use like a computer job, painters, postal workers, school bus drivers. etc.

A history of dealing with this since 1994.....
There are really only a handful of doctors that diagx, treat or can address surgery to open the space where the nerves are entrapped.

Sick nerves do not heal, just like CT surgery, they are trying to open up the space. But if it is in the elbows too.....I am suspicious that it is even higher in the nerve.
Read symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome and see if this sounds like you.
Di

 

[BillSears]

Recovery depends a huge amount on the type of surgery. I had a subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve done. As a paraplegic I really depend on using my arm.

After the surgery I stayed in bed the rest of that day and didn't use my arm at all. The day after the surgery I got up a couple of times but mostly I didn't put much pressure on it. The third day I got up more, got in and out of the tub on my own and tried my best not to strain it too much. By the fourth day I was lifting myself in and out of the car, driving to work and doing fairly normal. I think everything was totally back to normal within a month.

Now I'm not say that doing all of the above didn't hurt. But overall it wasn't too bad. I had told my doctor that I wasn't going to do the operation if I needed a long recovery and he promised me that with a subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve that I would be able to use my arm within a couple of days of the surgery.

Other operations require cutting into the tendons and muscles. I've heard those have a much longer recovery time.

 

[NikitaZee]

My husband had the carpal tunnel release endoscopic surgery 3 years ago. He had a small incision (maybe two) and was home within a couple of hours. He's a carpenter and a musician, and was worried about the recovery time - but he was healed and back on the job in 3 weeks. He hasn't had any trouble with that hand since the surgery. Good luck

ETA: Oops - Sorry - I read the title post too fast - I don't have any helpful info on cubital tunnel.

 

[MushyMushy]

I can't give you any specifics but my husband had cubital tunnel surgery done and it wasn't guaranteed that he'd get all feeling back in his hand (pinky was completely numb, which is BAD considering he plays guitar). I forget the rate of heeling, but it was only inches per year after the surgery. After the surgery, he had to stay in bed a day or two. His arm was immobile for about a week, but then once the doc took the stitches out he was pretty much on his own. No physical therapy or anything. His elbow was tender for a LONG time after the surgery and even now if you touch it wrong, it sends a jolt! His nerve regeneration will never be 100%, but he can now play guitar and thinks the surgery was worth it.

 

[Buckalew11]

Geez... I feel terrible reading all this. My DH has had 4 elbow surgeries and I am not sure if this was included in one or not. I don't remember the term cubital but I will ask him. I know they released a nerve in there and I also know they moved a nerve during one of the surgeries. They've worked on the bone, the nerves, the tendons and muscles in that elbow.

It is totally messed up and he's seeing how long he can stand the pain before getting a replacement. He'll have that done at the mayo clinic by an elbow specialist because that is who did the last surgery and who all the doctors recommend doing it. Dr. O'Driscoll.

Good luck. Elbows are tricky, so we have learned. I hope you get along great!

 

[tiggerluvr]

My doctor told me yesterday that I should get cubital tunnel release surgery for my left arm issues (ongoing for 4 yrs, no improvement with pt, braces, etc). I had tennis elbow surgery on the right side last November, and remember it as being pretty rough for a day or two, but then the hardest thing was not using my arm to lift anything more than 2 lb for about 6 weeks. Also surgery site was tender for quite a while.

So here's my question: I am planning to go to WDW at the end of October. Should I hold off on having the surgery until then? I'm leaning towards yes. The problem is that I'm likely to be moving shortly after that (hoping to get our house on the market mid-September). So it's kind of like - get it done NOW, or get one of my parents to come help with moving. DH is freaking out thinking he'll have to do it all himself. :

 

[Tozzie]

My doctor told me yesterday that I should get cubital tunnel release surgery for my left arm issues (ongoing for 4 yrs, no improvement with pt, braces, etc). I had tennis elbow surgery on the right side last November, and remember it as being pretty rough for a day or two, but then the hardest thing was not using my arm to lift anything more than 2 lb for about 6 weeks. Also surgery site was tender for quite a while.

So here's my question: I am planning to go to WDW at the end of October. Should I hold off on having the surgery until then? I'm leaning towards yes. The problem is that I'm likely to be moving shortly after that (hoping to get our house on the market mid-September). So it's kind of like - get it done NOW, or get one of my parents to come help with moving. DH is freaking out thinking he'll have to do it all himself. :

I had the surgery on one of my arms 10 years ago I was layed up for two weeks in splint and to be quite honest I had vey little pain but it took a llong time to get the strenghth back in my arms I think you will be fine doing it now and going to disney but you may have a problem with moving your residnce regardless if the surgery is now or in october

 

[tiggerluvr]

I had the surgery on one of my arms 10 years ago I was layed up for two weeks in splint and to be quite honest I had vey little pain but it took a llong time to get the strenghth back in my arms I think you will be fine doing it now and going to disney but you may have a problem with moving your residnce regardless if the surgery is now or in october

Thanks Tozzie! I have decided to wait until after the trip to have the surgery. I am well aware of the long recovery time to get strength back (I had a similar surgery on my right elbow, but for the top/outside of the elbow, not the underside), but I was mostly concerned about it getting jostled. I remember my right elbow being REALLY tender and sensitive to touch for a couple of months. If we have to, we will fly some family members out here to help out with the move (or just hire some day laborers).