"Trapped Ulnar Nerve Saga"

I was first seen at the DRI due to a trapped ulnar nerve which was causing permanent numbness and pain. I was told I would need an operation but would require nerve conduction tests and a splint in the meantime. I waited and waited and waited and eventually got in touch to be told I had been overlooked! Three months later the nerve tests showed exactly what we knew and I was then seen by a surgeon who also agreed an operation was the only option. By this time I was reasonably disabled and in constant discomfort, the surgeon said he would refer me on to the Montagu for the operation as the waiting times were shorter.

Two weeks later I telephoned to find out where on the list I was only to be told I was NOT on the list and had been forgotten AGAIN. I was distraught. My husband is a health care professional and he telephoned the PALS team who were prompt and efficient. Two weeks later I was booked in for my operation.

The staff on the Rockingham Ward at the Montagu were lovely and the operation all went well. However, a week later and I had problems with dressings and the wound not healing in places. When I went back to see the surgeon two weeks post op the centre of my wound had still not healed and I needed steristrips for another two weeks. The scar is a bit of a mess and still causes me problems. I was more than a little surprised when the surgeon discharged me two weeks post op. One of my friends had the same operation 2 months before me and was seen two weeks, 3 months and 6 months post op and everything I read indicated the same. I still have problems with my arm but my consulatant would not know this as he discharged me.

I have never been told what the expectations of rehabilitation are other than everything should be ok in 6 weeks. Well it isn't and I still cannot pick up anything even slightly heavy, the site of the op often has bruises appear at random and I get lots of nerve pain.