Monday Night -
still the same pains that developed Friday. They were gone in the Am but even when I use the arm a little bit they are back. I thoughts maybe it is hypersensitivity from the nerve 'waking up' but I wouldn't have thought i had that much damage to do that.. since at times I felt very minimal symptoms (although more severe at other times of course - warranting surgery).
Who knows...
The thickness under the scar is getting smaller. I wish my fingers would feel normal all the time though. It felt like it was getting like that a week ago but since last friday has been worse again. Weird.
I can sleep ok now though without really any discomfort from the surgery.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Unexpected Pain Today - Three Weeks + 2 days post-op for ulnar nerve transposistion - Second follow up appointment
Friday
At about 2 pm today at work started noticing arm feeling weird and getting worse. Within an hour or two I would hold out my hand and ring and pinky fingers were trembling and feeling tingly again. Its now 10 pm and I've been resting arm since work.. it still feels bad, like I took a step back about two weeks. It feels tighter again too. I can only think that I must have done something 'just right' and it caused it to swell - I've been using it a lot lately having to work late (without pain) and there was no single incident today that I can recall, although I was moving something in a room at work and remember noticing my forearm muscle was flexed.. so maybe I did work it a little too much... although I wasn't trying to 'push myself'.
A similar thing happened when I had in situ decompression performed on the other arm - I lifted something fairly soon after the surgery, and my hand got significantly worse and it actually swelled up Its hard to say if the swelling was from the surgery.. but it sure seemed like the day after the surgery it wasn't swollen, and two days later when I used the arm it swelled up.. which makes sense. You might be saying "duh.. dont push yourself" and I only used the arm because at the doctors office they said after surgery you can use it - your body will let you know if you shouldn't be doing something. So.. I guess it did. Even though the in situ felt so minor after the surgery - it really didn't seem that invasive.
So... Im taking ibuprofen probably at higher doses the next few days to help keep it down.
At about 2 pm today at work started noticing arm feeling weird and getting worse. Within an hour or two I would hold out my hand and ring and pinky fingers were trembling and feeling tingly again. Its now 10 pm and I've been resting arm since work.. it still feels bad, like I took a step back about two weeks. It feels tighter again too. I can only think that I must have done something 'just right' and it caused it to swell - I've been using it a lot lately having to work late (without pain) and there was no single incident today that I can recall, although I was moving something in a room at work and remember noticing my forearm muscle was flexed.. so maybe I did work it a little too much... although I wasn't trying to 'push myself'.
A similar thing happened when I had in situ decompression performed on the other arm - I lifted something fairly soon after the surgery, and my hand got significantly worse and it actually swelled up Its hard to say if the swelling was from the surgery.. but it sure seemed like the day after the surgery it wasn't swollen, and two days later when I used the arm it swelled up.. which makes sense. You might be saying "duh.. dont push yourself" and I only used the arm because at the doctors office they said after surgery you can use it - your body will let you know if you shouldn't be doing something. So.. I guess it did. Even though the in situ felt so minor after the surgery - it really didn't seem that invasive.
So... Im taking ibuprofen probably at higher doses the next few days to help keep it down.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Three Weeks post-op for ulnar nerve transposistion - Second follow up appointment
Wednesday
Its been three weeks, wow.. it has gone by fast.
I can do almost anything with my arm barring lifting anything heavy...not that it would hurt.. but Im not going to find out. The arm doesn't really hurt during any daily activity from the surgery.. unless I rest my elbow right on the sensitive portion of the scar. Interestingly enough there is still one stitch in there that didn't dissolve. The scar right around the elbow has gotten a little more inflamed from rubbing scar cream in it.. seems like even though it was 'sealed' it may still be healing on the outside, so I've switch to scar cream and triple antibiotic cream.
My left hand hasn't hurt at all, although Im not using it for anything heavy so don't expect to tell a big difference for a while.
At night my arm still burns some.. but also interesting, not where the surgery was, but midway down starting about 5 inches above my wrist. It is sore when I put pressure on it and hope its not a minor clot. I cant think of another reason why the incision area itself wouldn't hurt much but that spot would as it is lower and out of the way of the work that was performed.
Its been three weeks, wow.. it has gone by fast.
I can do almost anything with my arm barring lifting anything heavy...not that it would hurt.. but Im not going to find out. The arm doesn't really hurt during any daily activity from the surgery.. unless I rest my elbow right on the sensitive portion of the scar. Interestingly enough there is still one stitch in there that didn't dissolve. The scar right around the elbow has gotten a little more inflamed from rubbing scar cream in it.. seems like even though it was 'sealed' it may still be healing on the outside, so I've switch to scar cream and triple antibiotic cream.
My left hand hasn't hurt at all, although Im not using it for anything heavy so don't expect to tell a big difference for a while.
At night my arm still burns some.. but also interesting, not where the surgery was, but midway down starting about 5 inches above my wrist. It is sore when I put pressure on it and hope its not a minor clot. I cant think of another reason why the incision area itself wouldn't hurt much but that spot would as it is lower and out of the way of the work that was performed.
Friday, December 5, 2008
16 days post-op for ulnar nerve transposistion - Second follow up appointment
Friday
(ok.. these pics were the next day ... Saturday at a friends place I went over while he was brewing beer. He had a camera and my cell phone cam stinks and my camera is packed away somewhere from the last move)
Note the bruising is only up top.. none around the incision which I was very surprised at how it healed up so far. When I tap my finger above the part of the incision towards the bicep, I feel a tingle in my pinky and ring fingers. This is probably from the nerve still being sensitive and swelling/healing process going on.
I had the appointment to get the stitches out today. It turns out they were dissolving stitches and when the bandage was removed, there were no stitches. Its pretty amazing, there is basically no bruising at all around the incision. Its a little swollen, not too bad. Today I can reach my thumb back and touch my shoulder without any assistance from the other hand.
At the appointment I was told to still take it easy with the arm as it is healing still of course - but now I can use it to eat, lift things like a cup of water no problem. I asked if its ok to drive in two weeks - he had me squeeze his hand and said the strength seems pretty good so I could prob use it to drive now. Of course I was told if I do anything that hurts the arm - don't do it.
Tonight sitting at home my wrist started hurting after waking from a nap.. don't know why- but it hurt a decent amount so I took some ibuprofen.
My hand is slowly feeling less 'dull' (not from the nerve issue before surgery but after effects from the surgery)
The tip of my elbow is hypersensitive. When the prickly wheel was rolled across it.. it was pretty uncomfortable - which is weird because to the touch it feels pretty numb. The elbow is definitely swollen.. but it is a lot less than I thought it would be and am shocked there is basically no bruising except for the 'garbage' that is on the bicep area flowing towards the chest cavity from keeping the arm elevated (which I am no longer doing).
I was told today I can start putting cream on it. I used a little alcohol and q-tips to remove some of the pen lines after washing it twice. I purchased some scar cream with silicone and spf (it seems better creams have silicone in it to reduce scar formation). I had used ScarGard on a previous surgery but stopped quickly because it just flaked up and came off easily after applying it. I want to keep the area moisturized so the cream is pretty good for that rather than a brush-on dried up flaking scar treatment.
(ok.. these pics were the next day ... Saturday at a friends place I went over while he was brewing beer. He had a camera and my cell phone cam stinks and my camera is packed away somewhere from the last move)
Note the bruising is only up top.. none around the incision which I was very surprised at how it healed up so far. When I tap my finger above the part of the incision towards the bicep, I feel a tingle in my pinky and ring fingers. This is probably from the nerve still being sensitive and swelling/healing process going on.
I had the appointment to get the stitches out today. It turns out they were dissolving stitches and when the bandage was removed, there were no stitches. Its pretty amazing, there is basically no bruising at all around the incision. Its a little swollen, not too bad. Today I can reach my thumb back and touch my shoulder without any assistance from the other hand.
At the appointment I was told to still take it easy with the arm as it is healing still of course - but now I can use it to eat, lift things like a cup of water no problem. I asked if its ok to drive in two weeks - he had me squeeze his hand and said the strength seems pretty good so I could prob use it to drive now. Of course I was told if I do anything that hurts the arm - don't do it.
Tonight sitting at home my wrist started hurting after waking from a nap.. don't know why- but it hurt a decent amount so I took some ibuprofen.
My hand is slowly feeling less 'dull' (not from the nerve issue before surgery but after effects from the surgery)
The tip of my elbow is hypersensitive. When the prickly wheel was rolled across it.. it was pretty uncomfortable - which is weird because to the touch it feels pretty numb. The elbow is definitely swollen.. but it is a lot less than I thought it would be and am shocked there is basically no bruising except for the 'garbage' that is on the bicep area flowing towards the chest cavity from keeping the arm elevated (which I am no longer doing).
I was told today I can start putting cream on it. I used a little alcohol and q-tips to remove some of the pen lines after washing it twice. I purchased some scar cream with silicone and spf (it seems better creams have silicone in it to reduce scar formation). I had used ScarGard on a previous surgery but stopped quickly because it just flaked up and came off easily after applying it. I want to keep the area moisturized so the cream is pretty good for that rather than a brush-on dried up flaking scar treatment.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
13 days post-op for ulnar nerve transposistion
Tuesday
I can't wait until tomorrow to type.. sooooooo I started typing a bit today.. now tonight I'm typing fully with both hands. I doesn't hurt at all and hand speed is pretty normal for typing. Then again laptop is in lap and only wrists are moving slightly... so I wouldn't expect it to hurt at all.
Fingers on left hand are still 'duller' than right hand.
The incision is getting more sensitive around the elbow. Even resting it on a pillow is sensitive. not as in "Im infected" sensitive but more as in "Im healing so Im extra sensitive"
The burning that I had I dont think I had this morning waking up.. if I did it was minor. Im able to bend my arm back and touch my hand to my shoulder now. I can't do it on my own.. but need to push gently when I do it. There is no pain though.
I can't wait until tomorrow to type.. sooooooo I started typing a bit today.. now tonight I'm typing fully with both hands. I doesn't hurt at all and hand speed is pretty normal for typing. Then again laptop is in lap and only wrists are moving slightly... so I wouldn't expect it to hurt at all.
Fingers on left hand are still 'duller' than right hand.
The incision is getting more sensitive around the elbow. Even resting it on a pillow is sensitive. not as in "Im infected" sensitive but more as in "Im healing so Im extra sensitive"
The burning that I had I dont think I had this morning waking up.. if I did it was minor. Im able to bend my arm back and touch my hand to my shoulder now. I can't do it on my own.. but need to push gently when I do it. There is no pain though.
Monday, December 1, 2008
12 days post-op for ulnar nerve transposistion - more flexibility/new minor pains
Monday
Differences: Last night was first without pain meds. I could've not used them sooner.. but wanted to sleep. Sure enough.. my arm burned last nigh for some reason and it wasnt a good nights sleep. This only seems to happen at night before sleep or while I'm sleeping. When I lift up and then lay it down I get a burn in my hand for about 5 seconds. It didn't happen during the day at all though. Last night I was able to touch my thumb to my shoulder for the first time since surgery, so flexibility is coming back. I had to push gently and slowly on it with my other arm though. The bruse is slowly diffuing, no new garbage. Im typing with one finger on the surgery arm now so I can still keep it still and type with the right hand. It;s going pretty fast. I still have to force myself to not use it, as it feels good enough so my body goes to use it.. ie close a door, etc, but I stop myself. I've also not been keeping it up as much as I should during the day since Im running around work a lot, although I dont see additional swelling from it.. and when I stop I usually hold it up. When I eat I just rest it on the table.. so its at least not flowing 'down'.
My right arm is definitely acting up more from using it as the sole arm.
Here you can see there is still a lot of bruising. It is not painful though. Stitches come out Friday.. cant wait for that, although I think the bandage makes it a lot more pleasant to rest it on.
Differences: Last night was first without pain meds. I could've not used them sooner.. but wanted to sleep. Sure enough.. my arm burned last nigh for some reason and it wasnt a good nights sleep. This only seems to happen at night before sleep or while I'm sleeping. When I lift up and then lay it down I get a burn in my hand for about 5 seconds. It didn't happen during the day at all though. Last night I was able to touch my thumb to my shoulder for the first time since surgery, so flexibility is coming back. I had to push gently and slowly on it with my other arm though. The bruse is slowly diffuing, no new garbage. Im typing with one finger on the surgery arm now so I can still keep it still and type with the right hand. It;s going pretty fast. I still have to force myself to not use it, as it feels good enough so my body goes to use it.. ie close a door, etc, but I stop myself. I've also not been keeping it up as much as I should during the day since Im running around work a lot, although I dont see additional swelling from it.. and when I stop I usually hold it up. When I eat I just rest it on the table.. so its at least not flowing 'down'.
My right arm is definitely acting up more from using it as the sole arm.
Here you can see there is still a lot of bruising. It is not painful though. Stitches come out Friday.. cant wait for that, although I think the bandage makes it a lot more pleasant to rest it on.
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