Has anyone ever had failed subQ surgery? (Anterior subcutanious transposition.) If so, could you tell me how you know it failed? It's been over a month now and I have pain in my pinky with just the smallest of activity. My dr. is so quiet that he doesn't answer any of my concerns fully. Does anyone know when the doctors consider a surgery failed? I seem to be getting worse instead of better.

Thank you,
CSP

Hey CSP,

Was your transposition surgery just a month ago, or did the pain in your little finger start then?

I am the most impatient person in the world, but after hearing my doc's mantra "You have to be patient, remember this is a 6-12 month process" for the past 18 months, I've finally learned to give it some time. At the same time, listen to your "gut". You know your body better than anyone else.

Thoughts for dealing with your doc:

1. Write down questions you have and take the list with you to your appointment. If you aren't fully understanding the answers you're getting let the doc know. You don't have to be overly aggressive, just be pleasantly firm until you get an answer you can understand.

2. When you're ready to leave, ask him how you should contact him if you have further questions. My hand surgeon likes to communicate with a quick e-mail, my neurologist with a phone call to his office.

Hope everything works out. Best of luck to you.

Chris

I had my surgery on my left elbow for transposition/decompression 6 weeks ago - and since the surgery, I have had constant tingling/electrical shocks in my 4th and 5th fingers - non-stop. Also elbow completely numb--which is probably normal given the major surgery that occurred - however my elbow is extremely sensitive and having alot of discomfort.
Unfortunately, I do not really know what is normal/abnormal - but wanted to share my concerns and frustations as well. My Dr states the nerve is very angry - and is still waking up??? - does anyone know if this is normal? I know recovery can take a long time but I cant even type for 10 minutes without pain - and I work normally on the computer all day. thanks in advance....

I believe the numbness on the elbow is normal. My elbow was numb for at least a couple of months and quite sensitive. I didn't like driving and only did it if I had to. I did have to ride on a 2-day trip but had a pillow on the middle console where I rested my elbow. The numbness did go away. The swelling, as the doctor had told me, took 6 to 8 months to go away.

My surgery was the end of October 2009 but my pinky has been continually numb since the surgery, as it was before. My doctor had hoped that the numbness would have subsided right after the surgery but unfortunately it has not. He did tell me that studies show that this surgery's results could take up to 7 or 8 years. I'm not holding my breath though. I get lots of trigger fingers, especially with index and ring fingers depending on how I wrap my hand around something I'm trying to hold.

I did experience some problems with my palm 6 weeks after surgery. The doctor performed another surgery in March where he removed what he described as dead muscle tissue from the side of my hand. He also found a muscle that was squeezing the nerve in the palm and cut that. At first I had some problem controlling the pinky but then it went away.

I never had pain before or after either surgery, so I cannot address that. I've also been on the computer all day long without a problem since my surgery. However, I have padded my chairs arms heavily, where my elbow rests, and I use an ergonomic keyboard.

Hope you feel better soon! Hang in there!

Hi CSP

I've just undergone the the same procedure about the same time as you. I also had a transportation. I'm having the same symptoms and also pain on the scar. My elbow is painful and fills like it's burning. I started therapy last week. I hope to see some improvement. I hope with time we'll get back to normal. Till then hang in.
Keep me posted on your recovery.

Gail

I had surgery on my left elbow March 1, 2010. The skin covering the bone and surrounding area of my elbow has been almost completely numb ever since, but extremely sensitive under the skin at the same time. Just having my shirt rub across it the wrong way can feel like a million tiny razors digging into my elbow sometimes.

For the last 7 months things seemed to be generally going well though. I had lost most of the muscle in my hand before the surgery, and it has nearly all returned and with strength back as well. However this past week I have noticed the familiar tingling and numbness creeping back into my pinky finger and ring finger again. I am scared to death that the problem may be returning. I also feel a bit of a tugging feeling on the inside of my elbow when I straighten my arm all the way, and I had not felt that since right after the surgery when the wrap was removed.

I'm nervous about this. I seriously hope I would not need another surgery. I can't stand the thought of going through this all over again. Any thoughts or advice from anyone who has had multiple surgeries for this problem would be greatly appreciated!