I had nerve transposition sept. 4, inside of elbow is very sore and swollen. Is it alright to use an ice pad. I am suppose to start physio next week & dont have a doctors appt. till the first week of Oct. thanks

Hi bap:

I had a submuscular transposition on 9/2. Yes, I have also been using ice on and off still for swelling at the incision site and discomfort. I am out of my plaster splint but now am trying to gain movement without having to go to PT.

With more movement during the day, afternoons and evenings are quite sore. Ice is my saviour! Trying to hide all my bruising up and down my forearm is fun too! along with trying not to bump that elbow too.

Yes, ice is fine. Just be sure the ice is wrapped in a cloth (not exposed directly to skin) and that you ice it no more than 20 minutes each hour.

Pain & swelling is common after CuTS surgery, and many people experience a roller coaster type recovery (a bad day, followed by a few good days, then a few bad days, etc.) but you should always trend toward getting better. Are you getting better, or does it seem like you are getting worse?

Ice Works Well. It is now just over 3 weeks post surgery, Very much improved. I still have slight swelling in the elbow & scar, pain is minimal. Range of movement in elbow is at about 70% & improving almost daily, & fingers are free from the palm of my hand. My arm still aches, But I have been told this will decrease over time as the nerve heals itself. numbness in fingers & hand could take a year or more to subside if it is going to at all. Overall left is well on its way. I wish i could say I was looking forward to having the right one fixed. But I'm not there yet. Thanks for the advice. Great website.

4 weeks post op. still a touch swollen, now that most of the elbow pain is gone I find I have approx 2" square area with no feeling in my elbow, where the nerve use to be. Just wondering if this is normal or is this like the fingers & a wait & see if it comes back thing. Thanks.

numbness and pain/soreness are the most commonly complained about symptoms experienced after surgery and normally it should slowly subside. I stlll have it 6 months after. Some days its better then it's not. You can get tingling, sharp pains, deep aching ,throbbing, numb fingers etc. Always going forward with a little less discomfort as time goes by. If you start going backward thats the time to seek help. Jennifaux