This is an excellent forum for those of us with Ulnar issues. I have seen many post how they are doing for the first few weeks, or even a month, but beyond? Friday marked week 7 since I had surgery. I am still seeing improvement day to day, but at this stage (short of the incisions still healing under the surface with some discomfort), even if I didn't make anymore progress, "Life is now good", and workable in my career field - a field of which is very hands on and active (Law Enforcement). Prior to having my elbow worked on (subcutaneous transposition), release in my wrist and hand (Guyon's Syndrome), and 2 fingers released, I seriously was looking at disability retirement! That as far as I am concerned is now off the table.

From what my surgeon and physical therapist have told me, I am their "dream patient." Why? I am keeping a very positive attitude, I work aggressively at my PT "homework" assignments, and am healing quickly. I just like to tell them, "The surgeon did his job, your (PT) doing your job, and I too in order for all of that to work its best, I have to do my job!!" I know I may not ever be what I was before this whole process started, but heck, I am sure as hell BUNCHES better now. Would I do this again should I have the other arm do this? Yes, and with the same surgeon. What stages are you all at?

Friday was the 8th week since my surgeries to my elbow, wrist into hand and fingers. Grip strength between my hands is now within 2 pounds! That is about a 90% improvement. I have virtually all of the feeling in my ring finger. I can now feel the back of my pinkie finger(top side)to the knuckle just below my nail. I am starting to get the sensation back on the palm side of my pinkie to the first joint. Not counting the incision areas in my palm and wrist, I have FULL feeling back in my palm and back of hand to include the base of my wrist. Once or twice a day if I concentrate, I can cross my fingers!!! I haven't been able to do that for almost 2 years.

I am still in physical therapy (3x's a week), and at home I work various strength exercises, stretches and flexation, along with EMS treatments in therapy and now too, at home. Thanks to the aggressive "scar massage" I have been doing, the incisions are getting smoother and softer, which is allowing my flexibility to increase. Today I was able to go to work without my protective "elbow sock." Thus, the surface sensitivity is much reduced. Elbow discomfort is pretty much gone. Hand, well, that is another story - thicker skin, more constantly touched or bumped - tender - working it. Happy baby steps...

Just past the 2 and a half month mark since my right elbow, hand and last 2 fingers were "fixed." I am still seeing "feeling" improvement. Not fast mind you, but still seeing baby steps. My pinkie finger still has some swelling along with the pad of my palm above Palmer's crease, but it is better. In weeks past, my ring finger also felt swollen, now it isn't. I saw my surgeon this week for follow up. He has taken me off of physical therapy (although I am continuing exercises and EMS treatments at home along with hot/cold packs) and advised me that due to the lengthy time of numbness, it will be a while (up to a year or more) to see if I get all of my feeling back. We agreed that most likely there was some damage to the Ulnar, and as such, I will probably get around 80% back. I can even "live" with what I have now, so more improvement is a good thing.

I was able to shoot this quarter to qualify with my service issued 40 cal. firearm. There are 3 shots "weak hand unsupported" that I was worried about (this is the arm/hand that had the surgery)....MUCH to my surprise, no discomfort at all! I did have a cushioned pad over the heal of my hand, but a 40 cal. has a bit of a kick, and it was fine. Originally I was just not going to shoot those 3 rounds, but decided to at least try 1, and when that was okay, I shot the other two rounds. Yes!!!! Progress indeed. The hand incision sight is still tender to "gentle" touches, but pressure or massage does not bother it anymore.

Grip is now within 2 pounds of my dominant hand. Strength on extension is still in need of work, but getting better. Once in a while if I overwork my gripping and flexing, my fingers cramp up, but that too is lessoning. With constant massaging, my scars are now very soft to include my hand. If I close my eyes and feel my elbow, I can NOT feel the scar anymore. Thanks to a lot of "homework", my flexibility and mobility are almost back to normal with my elbow. Do your homework and you will see improvement and healing more quickly. Remember, the surgeon did his/her job, the physical therapist did theirs, now your job = good, positive attitude and home therapy. Remember, baby steps....

I sure appreciate reading about your recovery process.
I have an appointment August 1st with the surgeon. I will have surgery some time after that. I am suppose to have a great one.
Thank you very much.

Thanks very much for your wonderful reply Spoiled. So many on here have had various methods of Ulnar nerve surgeries, yet we only seem to hear of their first week or month and then poof. I will probably be posting tomorrow night after I get off work where I am at now. Not as fast on results, but still seeing them.

QUOTE:
So many on here have had various methods of Ulnar nerve surgeries, yet we only seem to hear of their first week or month and then poof.

Brenda, you're right. I think that's the nature of the health services industry. When someone is sick, his/her doctor is one of the most important people in the world. But as soon as we get well, we want to get as far away from the doctor and hospital as possible and try to forget the whole thing! I imagine the same phenomena will happen with this cubital tunnel site.

Thank you for sharing your cubital tunnel experience and advice on this site. We all really appreciate it. Nothing can compare in value to the words and wisdom of someone who has actually been through it all!