Hey all. I'm having the nerve test done next week and possibly surgery to follow. I'm wondering how post-op is? How long (on the average) do you where the cast? I'm also worried about how I'll be able to handle my life too - I'm a single mom of a 10 yr old and a 16 yr old! I think they'll be able to help out as best they can. Did any of you have trouble doing your hair and stuff like that? I guess I better start practicing!! Any thoughts on your experiences would be very helpful!

testing (my last reply didn't take, so . . . . )

I have some personal experience (over almost two years) with post-op stuff. Here are some T&T's to deal with those Activities of Daily Life (ADLs):
(1) Wardrobe stock up on men's XL or XXL t-shirts and shirts with roomy arms. Pull-on pants. Slip-on shoes. Hope you don't have to dress too professionally. If you do have to dress up more, sleeveless shirts/sweaters with a pashminia-type wrap and knit (cotton) pants (lands end, more fitted yoga pants).
(2) Bathing. You'll have to modify the routine for "a while" (2-5 weeks). Get yourself a detachable showerhead sprayer. And heavy duty, industrial vinyl glove (at home improvement store). Liquid soap. Scubby poof or loofah. METHOD Fill tub with 2" of water. Undress. Put vinyl glove on surgical arm. Carefully get into tub (good arm on chair works). Sit down. Soap up, taking care to keep surgical arm dry. Drain tub. Rinse with showerhead sprayer.
(3) You will need to enlist help with washing hair. Friend or bribe child. In kitchen sink or over side of tub.
(4) Hair: lower maintenance haircut and headbands! (Ponytail holders aren't workable for quite a while)
(5) Meals: Stock up on easy fixins. Getting hot stuff out of oven (and even the microwave) can be dangerous, so keep that in mind. EXTRA CHOCOLATE is indicated.
(6) Hand sanitizer (waterless, high alcohol content): STOCK UP. This is what you'll use for surgical arm's hand, and in a pinch is good for armpit touchup if a shower is "just too much work right NOW."
(7) Have a sense of humor and develop [more] patience. It will take you longer to do less, and you'll find out what you've been taking for granted pretty quickly.

Great advice! I'm getting a little scared about it but I guess I need to buck and try to remember to keep a positive attitude! I'm so glad my kids are older so they will be able to help out - at least my daughter will get practice styling hair!! HAHA - Thanks again!

Hey Mojo,

You asked how long for the splint. Each doc is different, but I was only in for 8 days for both decompression and submuscular transposition.

I too am a mom. Four kids from 8-16. The hardest thing for me post-op was letting the kids help and being able to handle the laundry folded by my 8 year old or the dishes being done by my 11 year old. They sure didn't do it the way I do, but they gave it their best:)

Just some additional ideas for post-op survival...

1. Do a quick run through and check that your toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, etc) have fliptop caps. That makes it way easier to navigate one-handed.

2. Tub-bathing is out for me so for showering I used Glad Clingwrap and I wrapped my arm up before showering. It takes a little practice but then I was able to shower and wash my own hair.

3. As for hairstyling, I have wild, wavy hair that doesn't like to be tamed. I struggled with blowing and straightening when I had my first two surgeries, but by the time the third came around, I gave up...a little mousse and scrunching, airdry and done. I also tossed a headband in to change up the look once in a while.

3. Over the head sports bras work well.

4. Before my surgeries, I cooked up a storm and froze meals so all I had to do was defrost and pop them in the oven. My kids helped with getting hot food out of the oven. I cooked and froze pasta then defrosted and added to jar sauce.

5. I was also a fan of pull-on pants. I bought a couple pairs of mens cotton pj pants and big t-shirts and was good for around the house. For going out, wind pants or yoga pants and the same big t's.

You'll be amazed at how quickly you adapt to being one-handed.

Good luck and let us know what your NCV says.

Chris