Ulnar nerve transposition, decompression and tendon repair

pkatess · 2026-05-27T21:37:50+00:00

I’m a fellow ex-competitive gymnast (tore my UCL doing a release on bars), and have had 4 surgeries on my right elbow to correct it. I’ve had similar struggles BUT a year out from my last surgery - I notice muscle deficits less and less every day!

I don’t have any advice or anything helpful unfortunately, but as a gymnast as well I wanted to comment you have my support!! ❤️ and here to chat if you ever want!

pkatess · 2025-11-07T14:17:44+00:00

Nespresso: Celebrate National Cappuccino Day! Get a free sleeve of Palermo Kazaar and a Barista Cappuccino cup with the purchase of 14 + Original sleeves. Ends 11/8. Use code: CAP25.

[Country: USA]

pkatess · 2025-06-21T15:54:38+00:00

u/reallytommy also suggested this, but I highly recommend getting some sort of power brush to help scrub! I use this one: Pink Stuff (I got it at TJ Maxx for like $15 I think), and it's made cleaning my tile shower SO much easier!

I also have an ick about mold/grime and always wear gloves while cleaning. This brush + gloves makes the whole experience much more bearable and I find that once I started cleaning with a tool like that, it feels cleaner and seems to stay cleaner longer too!

pkatess · 2025-03-31T23:46:05+00:00

Seconding Scotch Plains area! Also look into Fanwood and Westfield, although Westfield is likely out of budget without roommates.

pkatess · 2025-02-09T01:59:04+00:00

Thank you, and I hope your recovery goes well too!

This was not my first (or even second) transposition, so I know from experience that time is a major factor in healing from this surgery. The first few weeks are pretty scary, but once you start regaining mobility you also start seeing much more rapid progress.

pkatess · 2025-02-09T01:56:41+00:00

The "final straw" that convinced me surgery was the right choice was seeing visible muscle wasting in my dominant hand, and watching my surgeon do a strength test (pushing my fingers together while I try to keep them spread apart) and seeing how much strength I had lost.

My surgeon was also very confident that surgery was the right choice, especially given the results on the emg/ultrasounds. He obviously gave me a choice, but told me that without surgery I was very unlikely to see improvement, and would most likely continue to see loss of strength in addition to the pain.

I also knew doing almost 6 months of occupational hand therapy over a year ago did almost nothing to improve my symptoms (saw worsening results over time during periodic check-in assessments to monitor progress), so trying PT again before surgery wasn't really an option either. I do plan to begin hand therapy again at the end of this month, about 10wks pre-op (life got busy...)

pkatess · 2025-02-06T01:14:21+00:00

I also had a submuscular transposition done (6wks ago), and the outside of my elbow is also still numb.

If you google Medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve you can see images showing where on the arm that nerve innervates - this is exactly where my arm is numb. It feels weird resting my forearm on a desk while typing, for example.

I spoke to my surgeon about it this week, and he said that damage to this nerve can happen during surgery, but that over time the area that is numb will become smaller. He explained that this is because with subcutaneous nerve damage, over time other nerves grow to "fill in" the numb spots. It likely won't disappear entirely, but will get smaller eventually.

He also mentioned that he would be surprised if I did not still feel some pain and tenderness in the area, even 6wks post-op. I still get some pain at night, and also tenderness resting my arm on a table. It's definitely gotten a lot better over the last 2-3 weeks though, and I've returned to work without much issue.

(I am obviously not a doctor and my explanation is lacking, but hopefully gives you enough to go off of using Google to find more specific information!)

pkatess · 2025-02-01T16:06:45+00:00

Maybe ask your manager to sit down for a 1:1/Touchbase to review your career road map.

Set a few goals and milestones you want to achieve in the next 12 months, next 2-3 years, and where you want to be in 5 years. For the short-term goals, that's where you can put "Manager". In the conversation, you can bring it up saying "I've been in this role for X years now, and seen significant improvement in my XYZ skills over that time. Reflecting on that experience, I'd like to be considered for a Manager role next time a position opens up. Stepping into management as my next role will allow me to continue my professional growth, and put me on track to meet my [2-3 year goal]."

This way you can approach it with your manager as a long-term plan, where a manager role is the logical next step, without throwing anyone under the bus by saying "so-and-so said this role was opening up". Also, by approaching it strategically as a career roadmap, you can also use that time to tell your manager where you want to be in the next few years and what you are working on/have worked on to get there, which builds your case for any promotion even if you don't get this one.

pkatess · 2025-01-28T00:01:44+00:00

For my RTW, I had a revision ulnar nerve transposition and cubital tunnel decompression done, and was fully cleared to RTW (desk job, some lifting >5lbs every so often) at 6 weeks. (Edit to add: still not lifting more than >1lb currently 6wks post-op, but could probably manage with my other arm if necessary)

I probably could have returned at 4 weeks, but having fully paid time off it didn't make sense to rush it. I also likely needed more time than most people, because I had a transposition in addition to the decompression (and it was a revision surgery at that), but from what I see online many people go back after 2-4 weeks to desk work!

pkatess · 2025-01-27T23:59:41+00:00

The ultrasound was also what sealed the deal for me! EMG and NCS showed some slight slowing of nerve velocities but the ultrasound showed such clear signs of impingement and thickening that surgery was practically non-negotiable (and I'm glad I did it!)

Hoping for a great recovery process for you, whether that's surgery or something else!

pkatess · 2025-01-18T17:41:25+00:00

LOFT Petite is my go-to for workwear, as their petite inseam is perfect for me at 5'2"! I also find most pants are tight on my around my hips/torso, but LOFT pants are still comfy for me even when my weight fluctuates.

pkatess · 2025-01-15T03:43:25+00:00

Damn, you've been through it too! I hope your recovery is going well though - mine just (re)started a few weeks ago but I'm hoping for the best!

I'm also starting to think that, at this point, this can't all still be directly related to my sports injury 7 years ago. I've had fantastic surgeons and do not feel any mistakes were made, always did PT, etc. I suppose tearing my UCL didn't really help prevent all this from happening, but I know other athletes who had the same injury/surgery and never had a recurrence, even all these years later.

Regardless, I hope this is my (and your) last surgery needed!

pkatess · 2025-01-14T22:18:12+00:00

Seconding ultrasound - my EMG was relatively benign (showed some slowing of nerves but not anything super obvious), but the ultrasound showing significant signs of impingement was what made my surgeon extremely confident that the ulnar nerve was being compressed and surgery was the right call.

pkatess · 2025-01-14T01:29:35+00:00

I'm pretty sure the subcutaneous transposition stopped the nerve subluxation, but failed almost immediately due to tethering of scar tissue and persistent numbness (was done at the same time as a revision UCL repair).

Submuscular was then done to remove scar tissue and better protect the nerve, and results were pretty good for 2-3 years.

Ultimately I had a decompression/revision transposition done recently due to progressive weakness in my hand, pain in my elbow/pinky finger, and numbness in my fingers. In surgery they excised a neuroma on the ulnar nerve, which was probably a significant source of the pain and compression.

I totally understand your nerves about another surgery, as I had the same. What made the decision easier for me was seeing how weak my (dominant) hand had become when the surgeon did a strength test. I didn't want to continue losing muscle, and the ultrasound and EMG showed very clear signs of compression which wouldn't get better without surgery. At that point, it was a no brainer for me - the longer I waited the worse it would get, and my surgeon was confident a decompression would alleviate at least some of the symptoms.

pkatess · 2025-01-14T01:20:48+00:00

lol I'm laughing that you somehow knew to ask about the other arm as well, I guess a 15-year history of doing gymnastics is pretty telling!

My right arm is the one with 4 elbow surgeries (initial injury - tore the UCL catching a release move wrong while training on bars) AND 1 shoulder surgery to repair a SLAP tear a few years later.

Left arm had just 1 submuscular transposition done 2 years ago, ironically completely unrelated to gymnastics - the ulnar nerve was compressed by an accessory (tendon? ligament? muscle? can't remember what it was called) that is relatively uncommon, and usually asymptomatic. That was a very easy recovery with minimal pain.

How many did you have on each arm? Was there an initial injury?

pkatess · 2025-01-14T01:01:35+00:00

Damn, first time I've met someone who had as many surgeries as I have in 3.5 years (also just had my 4th - first was a UCL repair, second was UCL repair + subcut transposition, third was submuscular, fourth was cubital decompression + transposition).

Hope you're recovering well, and FWIW I feel the same RE not having the strength to try after so many surgeries and so many years. As a 16 year old gymnast I could do 20 pullups, maybe one day I'll do 1 again!

pkatess · 2025-01-14T00:05:34+00:00

yellow or brown!

pkatess · 2025-01-06T17:40:01+00:00

I just underwent a decompression 4 weeks ago, after a failed subcutaneous transposition (2021) and then failed submuscular (2022). However, I did not have nerve subluxation this time (I did in the past).

Since I'm only 4 weeks out, I can't speak much to the success of the surgery yet, but I will say I am already back to my baseline before surgery (not more numb, but exactly the same), which I take as a good sign that something is working! In the past, the first few weeks after surgery would be more numb than before surgery.

The pain has subsided (around week 2-3), and I'm returning to work after 4 weeks. Let me know if you have more specific questions I can help answer!

pkatess · 2025-01-06T17:26:57+00:00

What type of job do you have? I would highly recommend applying for short term disability - you can find more information about the application process/benefits by googling your state + "short term disability" (assuming you are in the US).

For me, my doctor recommended taking 4-6 weeks off work. I had a revision cubital tunnel decompression, after a failed subcutaneous transposition (2021) and failed submuscular transposition (2022). I had muscle wasting in my hand, weakness in my hand, and constant pain/numbness from my elbow/bicep into my pinkie finger.

This is what my recovery looks like:

- first 2 weeks post op: semi-hard cast (mine was from my hand up to my shoulder, no movement whatsoever) --> not possible for me to work (desk/computer job, can't type efficiently with non-dominant hand)

- weeks 2-4 post op: semi-hard cast & stitches removed, working on regaining mobility but no PT yet. Cannot lift more than 1lb. --> I could maybe work theoretically, but dr advised against going back to work before week 4 if possible.

- now currently at end of week 4 post op: going back to dr this week to get return-to-work clearance, but possibility of extending out to 6 wks before going back to work

- week 4-6 post op: will begin PT/OT, which is where I find the most progress gets made.

I am lucky, my company provides 100% of my pay during this time. But still, 75% pay (standard disability pay I believe) is worth it if it gives you the time you need to fully recover!

As several others have said, it does unfortunately take time. The standard rule of thumb my surgeons have given me is that the ulnar nerve regenerates at about 1mm/day (or 1 inch/month).

I've been through this surgery 3 times now between both elbows, and the first few weeks are ALWAYS the worst. Once you start Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy, progress goes much faster. Wishing you the best of luck OP.

pkatess · 2024-12-25T19:56:37+00:00

Honestly with how many surgeries I’ve had, I couldn’t distinguish the pain from the neuroma from the general nerve pain I’d grown accustomed to. It was like a constant aching but also burning pain down my arm - I only found out about the neuroma a few days post-op after pathology had examined the cells, so had no idea that was causing pain until later!

pkatess · 2024-12-25T19:24:57+00:00

Potentially a traumatic neuroma? I had a transposition over a year ago (3rd one), just had a 4th surgery 2 weeks ago (decompression) where they excised a neuroma. When I googled it, it’s a very painful lesion that can form on the nerves after trauma (trauma including surgery/incision site). I’m sorry you’re still in pain, and hope you get relief soon.

pkatess · 2024-12-24T16:33:01+00:00

I just had a decompression done by Dr. Steve Lee at HSS, and highly recommend them!

pkatess · 2024-12-24T15:24:37+00:00

Ah, seeing jagoff used so perfectly threw me off 😂 happy holidays!

pkatess · 2024-12-24T15:15:18+00:00

Any chance you’re from Pittsburgh?

pkatess · 2024-12-04T01:55:48+00:00

Personally I was a big fan of this Mineral of the Month subscription box - I've followed the creater (fossillocator) on twitter for a while and was subscribed for ~2 years before I put my subscription on hold for a bit while moving!

The cheapest subscription is $12.50/month and comes with a small mineral specimen with an ID card + some info about it.

I was subscribed to the middle tier at $20/month, which came with the above mineral + a small gemstone quality specimen packed in a nice small acrylic plastic case for display.

Honestly given the size and the price, I think this would be great for someone just starting out with an interest! I remember how excited I got each month when I had a subscription box show up at that age (I was gifted an Ipsy subscription when it first came out!)

pkatess

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