My surgeon is recommending surgery. I had a nerve conduction study and an EMG and the Neurologist said he basically doesn't think I have any options due to the compression. Moderate numbness, tingling, atrophy and pain. My surgeon wants todo transposition surgery to remove the compression caused by scar tissue from an injury and move the nerve to a clearer spot in my elbow. This will be my 4th eblow surgery (prior three were as a result of a bad fracture). What do people think? I can type and my hand is probably about 60% of my strong hand. Pain is a 2-4 at night, not bad during the day. Is surgery worth it? They gave me an RX for Neurontin to help with the nerve pain. Any experience with that? Side effects scare me. Thanks in advance!

Katie - I see you are from Mass. Can you privately tell me the name of your surgeon as I may want to get a 2nd.

hi there-

what did your ncs/emg results state?

Hi Cindy,

I am awaiting the complete write up from the Neurologist on the EMG and Nerve Study. But he did say that he saw a significant compression in the elbow from scar tissue. When they measured the speed of the impulse traveling down the ulnar, it was at a 7 (whatever that means). I was told that normal is 50-60. One of my reasons for being reluctant is that I did not have an issue with my hand until my third surgery. That is why my surgeon is saying I need transposition. The neurologist was fairly blunt is saying the ulnar will not get any better and he beleives I have no options. I have requested his write up. Is there anything specific I should look for in the report/

I had subq transportation done less than a year ago. I was ok for awhile, but then had weakness and pain again.

I just had a ncs/emg and was told by the neuro that I have severe loss of axons in every single muscle that the ulnar nerve feeds from the elbow down.

The report said the findings are consistent with chronic compression neuropathy. I was thinking maybe it was scar tissue pressing on it? I have not seen the ortho yet to discuss the results.

Look at your report and post back your results. From what I understand it is easier to recover if you do not have axonal loss. Time is of the essence in they cases because there will come a point in time in which the nerve may not regenerate.

If you know for sure that the scar tissue is the problem I would go for the surgery. Just make sure you have a good surgeon.

Cindy,
Thank you for the advice. Will post when I get the neuro report. My compression is most certainly from scar tissue as I had a very bad broken elbow and broken arm from a fall two years ago. I am leaning toward surgery as much as I would like to avoid. I am dealing with the limited mobility and pain but would like to address it if possible.

Hope your ortho is able to help you.

You didn't indicate whether you'd exhausted some of the more conservative treatments, like splinting and injections (the latter which I don't reccomend much). But I will say if there is more than moderate compression (which your's looks like based on the NCS/EMG), your 2nd opinion visit could be more direted at surgical OPTIONS (subq, subm, intram), and IMPORTANT, have a conversation about post-surgical rehab. Unfortunately, the longer you wait, the more likely, based on studies and personal experience, the longer the recovery and perhaps less of a chance of "full" recovery. I had a simple release in both arms, and then, because of practically no relief, I was put the more agreessive track -- release revisions and submuscular transposition in both arms. It's been a slow go, but finally, with revision surgery, therapy and time, I've had some one-sided pain free minutes in one arm nearly two years into this.