Re: Cubital Tunnel Surgery Next Week.

In Reply to: Re: Cubital Tunnel Surgery Next Week. posted by Martyn on January 06, 2004 at 22:29:30:

: : : : Hi Martyn
: : : : I'm certainly interested to know more about your choice of going private. If you've been lurking, maybe you saw my post which says I also have probs with Cubital TS (mainly left elbow too) & was doing some research about going private. From what you say, my guesstimate of £2000 isn't far out - is that BUPA you're going to?

: : : : Why are you staying 24 hours in hosp? Aren't you having it done under local anaesthetic? Are you going to have both wrists done privately too? What was the waiting list time for the NHS? From seeing the consultant, I waited around 6 mths to get my worst hand done on the NHS (Carpal Tunnel).

: : : : I've decided to just wait in the NHS queue meantime & if it gets to the intolerable stage, I'll go private (same surgeon). It's a heck of a lot of cash to part with for something which may not be enormously successful (the cubital I mean). I've written a begging letter to the surgeon so will see if that works :-)

: : : : Do you think it was all caused by the fact that you ride a bike so much? Vibration? Are you a courier or instructor - something like that? I used to ride a wee Yamaha around London - must've been mad, looking back! :-)

: : : : Good luck with the op. I'll be interested to know all the gory details, so please keep posting!

: : : : Evelyn

: : : Hi Evelyn,

: : : Yes, it is BUPA (Hartswood) I'm using. The consultant who is doing the op wanted me to spend a night in hospital, by the sound of things it looks like it will be done under a general. He also said my arm will be in plaster for about 3 weeks.

: : : I will wait and see what happens with my elbow before I think about my wrists on BUPA. My GP told me that the waiting time on the NHS could be upto 18 months, hence I've gone private. Everybody thinks the bike riding is the cause of things, I am a courier who does distance jobs, so I'm on the bike for long periods

: : : I think that answers your questions. If you have anyone just let me know.

: : : Martyn

: : Hi Martyn

: : More questions :-) How bad would you say the symptoms in your left arm are? What's it like & how does it affect you? Do you have any swelling at the elbow? Have you got muscle wastage? How much of the time do you have tingling/numbness/pain?

: : Evelyn

: I have no pain or swelling at all in my elbow, I have numbness in my little finger and alot of muscle wastage in my hand. The only pain I get is when I ride the bike, my ring finger crosses over my middle finger and my little finger sticks out to the side. It bloody hurts. :)

: Martyn

It's not that guy Belcher who's doing your op is it? He's somewhere in Essex. Have you seen his web site? It's one of the best I've seen on the subject. If you just type in Belcher you'll find it. Seems like he knows his stuff.

I've got a fair bit of muscle wastage in both hands, swelling on inside of left elbow which comes up in a big lump if arm is bent for a while, tingling/numb fingers a lot, wake up several times a night.

The thing with your fingers sounds bizarre (also very painful!) I just tried & can't my ring finger to cross my middle one!

Thanks for all the info - good to compare notes :-)
Evelyn