5 years after ulnar nerve transposition surgery
My personal story of undergoing ulnar nerve transposition surgery, from the snapping in my arm that started it all to recovery, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.
I had a snapping sensation in my left arm during push-ups and bench press that led me to pursue ulnar nerve transposition surgery. My doctor recommended it as a fix to the snapping feeling in my elbow.
Timeline
I first felt snapping in my elbow during basic movements around when I was 13 years old. I had consulted a doctor about it then, but decided against surgery because I did not want to be in a cast for two months while in school.
It wasn't a constant problem back then, but by my early 20s, it had started interfering with my workouts, especially push-ups and bench presses. Fortunately my employer and California's medical leave policy allowed me to take time off of surgery, and I timed it with the end of the year when things at work were slow.
Making the decision
My doctor reassured me that he had performed this surgery hundreds of times and that because I was young and healthy that my recovery would be smooth. That helped, but I still turned to the internet for more stories from people who had gone through the same thing. One post stuck with me—someone had the surgery on both arms at the same time! I watched a few videos of the surgery on YouTube (not recommended), it was extremely gross and they really do pry your arm open to fix it.
The Surgery Day
On the day of the surgery, they shaved my arm beforehand and put me under general anesthesia for the procedure. When I woke up, I had a long incision—about five or six inches—right along the inside of my elbow. My family came to see me after, and I was still loopy from the sedative. Apparently, I said some wild stuff before I was fully conscious. Thankfully, it was all close family, so no harm done (but definitely a little embarrassing)!
Recovery
Recovery was quite painful. The pain hit hard once the anesthesia wore off, and I needed medication to get through the first few weeks. I took two full months off work to let my arm heal. The scar was bigger than I expected, and the bruising was heavy. I had about 15 stitches that stayed in for a couple of weeks, and some of them didn't heal perfectly, leaving a larger scar than I'd hoped for.
It took months of careful exercises to get my flexibility back, and there were definitely moments of regret. But over time, the pain eased, and my arm started feeling more normal. Within 2 months the wound had healed and I had full range of motion in my arm, and by 3 months I was able to lift weights.
Reflections Five Years Later
Looking back, I'd say the surgery was worth it—even though it didn't go perfectly. A couple of years after the procedure, I started noticing the snapping feeling again, but it's much less frequent now. My doctor explained that this can happen with surgeries like mine, which aren't always perfect fixes. Still, my arm feels strong, and I can work out without the constant interference I had before.
Why I'm Writing This
I'm sharing my story because, just like I did back then, someone else out there might be Googling "ulnar nerve transposition surgery" and wondering what it's like. I hope this helps calm your nerves or give you an idea of what to expect. Everyone's experience is different, but if I can offer one piece of advice, it's this: be patient with yourself during recovery. It's a slow process and you might experience some setbacks, but it's worth it in the end.
Final Thoughts
Even now, I still get some mild irritation in my arm occasionally, but it's manageable. The surgery allowed me to get back to doing what I love—lifting weights and staying active. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was the right decision for me.
If you're considering this surgery, I hope my story helps you feel a little more prepared. And if you're already on the other side of it, just know that the tough parts of recovery don't last forever. Keep going—your arm will thank you later.
