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So how do I know how severe my condition is? 6 Months, 3 Weeks ago
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I'm not so great with any pain so for me this is very painful. I have slight numbness in pinky and ring finger no clawing. Just intense unrelenting pain in my elbow.
2 different opinions same treatment Transposition Surgery.
My nerve is subluxing (moving)It's always moved but all of a sudden (in the last year) I have had multiple episode of major pain.
But is it major or am just being a wimp?
How do I know when it's time for surgery?
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks Cynthia
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Re:So how do I know how severe my condition is? 6 Months, 3 Weeks ago
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Hello Cynthia and a hearty Welcome to the site!!! 
Pain = and your wimpy - NOPE!! Lets get that one on the table first. We all respond/react differently to pain. I have been told I have a "abnormally high" tolerance for pain, and due to that I have had issues get pretty bad before I sought medical attention, and thus requiring emergency surgery in one case!
Simple, if your pain is interrupting your daily life, changing your livelihood that is a factor to consider surgery. Not all people have that much pain at the elbow (I didn't), but then do have major numbness at the ring and pinky, and then later loss of strength and dexterity of your fingers. It is hard to get that strength back, so you want to try an avoid getting it to that point.
You've had 2 opinions with the same ending result. It all depends what these doctors told you in so far as "if you delay, you could have permanent damage" or something to that affect. Have you tried conservative methods and they failed? Conservative I mean, PT, shots, stim etc.
Only YOU can and need to decide when to - or if to have surgery, as it is a very individual and personal thing. It you are getting to where you can't deal with the pain, or the side affects I(weakness, dexterity etc.) are negatively affecting your daily life, you might be at that point. I hope this helps. Take care, and please keep us posted on your decision and how it goes.
Brenda
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Last Edit: 2010/02/08 19:03 By BrendaB.
Mar 08 ACDF with Instrumentation C5/6
April 08 Subcutaneous Ulnar Transposition, Guyon's Release and claw fingers release
Aug 09 ACDF with Instrumentations C6/7
Oct 09 (new) Degenerative disk disease with Osteophytes C7/T1 Degenerative disk disease C2/3, disk bulge, Osteophytes
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cindy
Expert Boarder
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Re:So how do I know how severe my condition is? 6 Months, 3 Weeks ago
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Hi Cynthiak ,
The response you got from Brenda is spot on! The only thing I can add is like you I had very bad pain in the elbow and also sublaxation. After the surgery that awful elbow pain was completly gone. And I mean right after surgery, in a cast, pain from the incision and all, the day after I thought oh the pain in the elbow is gone! yeah!
I still have some numbness and issues with movements, but my dr thinks I have a double crush, where the compression is in two locations. However, I hear your elbow pain, and this surgey helped. Hope this gives you some peace in your decsion and lets you know that you are not alone in your symptoms.
Cindy |
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Re:So how do I know how severe my condition is? 6 Months, 3 Weeks ago
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Thank you so much for all your kind words.
I guess that's just it I don't think this is truly disrupting my life. I just want to pain to go away.
I scheduled surgery for Feb 22nd but I'm going to cancel it in the morning. I think I need to give this more time.
But on the other hand I get the feeling that part of the reason only 70% of the people have good results after surgery is because we wait too long. I don't want my nerve to still be screaming after it's moved just because I waited too long.
Still very confused and concerned.
Thanks Cynthia
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Re:So how do I know how severe my condition is? 6 Months, 3 Weeks ago
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Howdy Cynthia,
I am one of those who waited. Mine got to the point that I couldn't open a basic screw top bottle, and I am talking tightness like the top of a milk jug! Turning the ignition key - I had to rotate my arm to start the car! I let mine get pretty bad. Now fast forward....I was one of the lucky ones in that except for a flight numbing left on the tip of my ring finger, I got pretty much all my strength back, most atrophy of the muscle was recovered, dexterity came back. I would say my surgery was about 95% on the plus side.
I lost most of my Ulnar function again back in January pretty fast - and I mean fast as a matter of hours. This time it is my level (neck) below my latest fusion! So my surgery at the elbow and hand (Guyon's canal) was a success in my mind.
Cynthia, you also have to keep this in mind (and hehe.. I just addressed this on a spine support site I am on) is this... You have probably MORE success stories out there. Many folks get the results they were hoping for, no longer need support and off they go with their lives. So don't let a figure of "70%" be a deal stopper for you! I am one of those that stick around to show there IS SUCCESS for not only the "elbow" edition of Ulner woes, but same surgery session had the Guyon done in the hand as well.
I am one that 'did my homework' as directed! I was given 'at home' exercises for example by my PT, and I DID THEM!!! There are too many people out there that figure the surgeon fixes said problem, and they don't have to do anything but heal! I looked at it this way, my surgeon did his job, PT did her job, now I had my job! The only other issue I see with "revision" surgeries, is that folks "feel good" and go right back to what caused their issues in the first place ... and wonder why they are having problems again?!?
Stressing over the surgery is FAR more stress than the surgery and recovery for most (not all okay?). Sleep on it, think all of what you have gone through and might go through, what your doctors told you, and what you in your heart feels. Then make the call if you need, and then regroup! Please keep us posted. Take care.
Brenda
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Last Edit: 2010/02/09 23:11 By BrendaB.
Mar 08 ACDF with Instrumentation C5/6
April 08 Subcutaneous Ulnar Transposition, Guyon's Release and claw fingers release
Aug 09 ACDF with Instrumentations C6/7
Oct 09 (new) Degenerative disk disease with Osteophytes C7/T1 Degenerative disk disease C2/3, disk bulge, Osteophytes
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Re:So how do I know how severe my condition is? 6 Months, 3 Weeks ago
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I was praying things would bet better but I'm freaking out. The pain is so intense with pain meds. I'm done. I'm keeping my surgery date for the 22nd. Wish me luck I hope I don't rip my arm off in the mean time.
Peace Cynthia
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