Hi,

Did your hand go numb when you first started your post excercises?

Cindy

Good Morning,

I didn't have any numbness but moderate pain because I had to straighten my arm out. I am now working to touch my right shoulder with my fingers.

It seems that you are progressing...

Moni

Hi Moni,

I am feeling better and sleeping better! My pain is getting better, but I have some numbness which has returned into my hand/fingers. What was your symptoms like prior to your surgery compared to now?

What were your earliest excercises / stretches that you did?

Cindy

Good Evening Cindy,

I am glad to hear that you are sleeping better and the pain is a bit more bearable.

Prior to my surgery, I had complete numbness in my right ring and pinky fingers. It would take about 15-30 minutes for the feeling to return. Most days, the pain from my elbow to my fingers was unbearable. Some days, I could not bend my elbow. So the post surgery pain is a 100% improvement.

My surgeon did not recommend physical therapy. He simply told me to keep my arm straight for the first month. For my follow up appointment, he recommended that I stretch my arm and fingers and try to touch my right shoulder.

As of today, I do continue stretch my arm out (like hailing a taxi in NY) at least once an hour since I am back at work full time. This helps tremendously since I do use my computer.

Is your post-surgery pain more bearable than your pre-surgery pain?

Hang in there...in 2 more weeks you will feel even better!! And remember healing takes time so be patient

Moni

Hello Moni,

It's funny that the physical therapy recommendation is so different between the different surgeons. I was worried that if I did not get into pt right away that my outcome might not be as good. I'm a little more at ease after reading some of the entries on this website.

You asked if my post surgery pain is more bearable than my pre-surgery pain:
-the nerve pain is gone now, so yes the pain is better

However my hand is numb.(darn it) I think that with time the sensation will come back. My biggest concern is that prior to surgery I had very little use of my arm. It would fatigue with the smallest of use. Towards the later dates I could not strength up enough to open my fridge door.

I am very optimistic that with time I can get the strength back as well. I'm really hoping the surgery works out well for me as I have the same symptoms in my left arm. If the right arm heals up and starts functioning normal I will definitely have the left arm operated on.

Good Evening Cindy,

It's good to hear that your post-surgery pain is a great improvement over your pre-surgery pain.

I too came to this website to get a better understanding of the surgical and healing processes. It seems each process is as different as the individual. This website has been a great help for me also. I still have some numbness around my elbow (that's where the incision is) but my surgeon reassured me the feeling would return.

I have the same problem with my left arm but not as much. I will go for a review in 2010 to see if surgery is needed.

Take care of yourself and be patient.

Moni