Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 9/22/2010

Question
I had an operation in november 2009 to have the nerve realised and decompression on the unlar nerve my elbow is still swollen to this day i drop things the pain is unbearable and leads from my fingers to my neck my consultant says it is post operative my gp as now given me an elbow brace but this is doing nothing to help me please please can u help me the pain is unbearable and so is the fact that i cant do things with my arm when i am right handed  

Answer
extremity adjustment, chiropractic extremity adjustment, sports chiropractic, inflammation, kinetic chain, Staten Island Graston,




Hello Amanda,

I am sorry to hear of your continued complaints.  I am sorry to hear of your condition.  I am sorry your Doctor of Chiropractic was unable to prevent the need for surgery.

First- you have had surgery; surgery is the LAST option in treating ANY condition.  Invasive procedures have their own inherent risks, and should be performed only when most appropriate, only AFTER more conservative approaches have been tried to completion, tried to failure.

You have had surgery, so your internal architecture has been altered; the number one guy you should see for explanation, diagnosis, proposed future treatment is the surgeon who went into you.
         What went right with the surgery?, Did anything go wrong with the surgery?, is this an expected outcome?, is this a step along the way to better, more full recovery?

Sometimes things do take time.  A few years ago our New York Jet Quarterback (football player) had shoulder surgery.  The man was about 26 years old, in grrrrrrrrreat shape ( 26 years old, professional athlete, the best of orthopedic, rehabilitation, nutrition, massage, chiropractic care available to a millionaire professional athlete).  The quarterback returned to football about 14 months AFTER surgery.
    And,
         The FIRST game back,,,,,, after surgery, rehab, etc. ,,,,
the FIRST game back this 27 year old pro athlete RE-injured the SAME spot.  The Medical Doctors said he had returned to play TO SOON !!!
Fourteen months after injury, fourteen months AFTER surgery, the best of everything, and this guy blows out his shoulder again !!!!!
The SAME injury !!!!!!!!
         All I am saying is, TALK to the SURGEON who did this to you, ask- is this the normal progression of things  ???

The Doctor of Chiropractic works on nerves all day every day. I am sorry that your Chiropractor was unable to 'fix' you PRIOR to resorting to surgery.

Surgery is the quick and easy part.  Have you followed your Rehabilitation regimen properly?  Often after surgery, some type of Rehab Schedule is necessary- perhaps for 2,  3,  4,  5,  even  6,  7  or more MONTHS of care.  Did you do the REHAB you needed, as instructed?, Did you go to the DC or PT for the necessary followup?

You state: ".....I had an operation in november 2009....", November '09, so less then a year ago; is this the progress the Surgeon told you to expect in your case?
         Do you have complicating factors?- diabetic (slow to heal), smoke (slows healing), vascular disease, standard western diet (pro-inflammatory, slows healing), do you work with that arm?
    These things could explain your current condition.

Again, have you spoken with your providers of care? Have you spoken with the SURGEON? the MD, the DC, the Physical Therapist, or whoever ran your rehab regimen?

"I had an operation in november 2009 to have the nerve realised and decompression on the unlar nerve....."- often Chiropractic can help with this and prevent the need for surgery.  I am sorry your conservative measures failed.

".....I had an operation in november 2009 to have the nerve realised and decompression on the unlar nerve my elbow is still swollen to this day i drop things the pain is unbearable ....."- first guy to talk to, the SURGEON: question- 'what is going on?, is this normal?'
         The next guy to talk to- the PT or DC running your rehabilitation; again the same question, 'what is going on?, is this normal?'.

"....my gp as now given me an elbow brace but this is doing nothing to help me ....", what is the rationale?, do you need this brace?, do you do some repetitive or heavy motion that aggravates the elbow? Does the MD think immobilisation will bring down the swelling/ pain/ dysfunction?

You ask, ".....please please can u help me the pain is unbearable and so is the fact that i cant do things with my arm ...."- have you spoken with your current providers?  Often patients are reluctant to ask questions, ask for help, say- 'this is not helping, let us try something else'.  TALK to your providers.
         This is where I really envy you.  I see this question comes from the UK - England.  Your socialized national medicine will allow you free healthcare.  Go to your Doctors.  Ask them questions. Your free healthcare should give you the good care your condition requires.
         The USA is moving towards your system of free national healthcare for all.  Soon we will get care similar to you, and you are lucky to get the care you need.

The SPORTS Chiropractor, the DC with a CCSP or a DACBSP credential could be able to help you.  Certain techniques such as A.R.T. and/or Graston, and/or Faktr-PM along with spinal and extremity adjustments could be VERY helpful in your rehab steps.
         Patients are often not aware that the Chiropractic Doctor can have additional training, 'specialties'; similar to what our Medical Doctor colleagues have- see: http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf
        The different techniques mentioned-  see: http://www.faktr-pm.com/ , http://www.grastontechnique.com/ , http://www.activerelease.com/  http://www.softtissuerelease.com/ .

Perhaps in England you can find a DC that practices 'Soft Tissue Release' techniques-  I think the techniques mentioned above could be helpful for your swelling and dysfunction.
         Again, from what we here in 'The States', I envy you, your unlimited access to the healthcare you need for free, assures your problem should be cured sometime soon !

In summary- speak with your providers; maybe this is expected in your case.  Speak with your providers, if this is NOT expected, ask for a new approach!  Of course as a Staten Island Sports Injury Chiropractor, I am partial towards the Chiropractic approach to treating your type of condition.  Use the Web Resources I listed above to help you in your search for an appropriate provider.

I hope this all helps.

If you need further, do not hesitate to RE-contact me here at AllExperts.com - http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm

Thank you, and good luck in your return to Good Health Naturally!

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP