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How Long Will I Have To Reinnervation Of The Hand Muscles When Diagnosed With Ulnar Nerve Entrapment?

Posted on Sat, 13 Mar 2021

Question: Hello I would like to know how fast do peripheral nerves regenerate? As early this year I had ulnar nerve entrapment and within weeks my hand muscles wasted and I had numbnes and clawing of fourth and fifth fingers. Why did all this happen within a few weeks? some people don't have those symptoms for year's.. My surgeon did an ulnar nerve transposition surgery along with a anterior interosseous nerve transfer. My nerve was never grafted only decompression Would a nerve graft on the compression been better then just releasing it? I'm 6 week's out of sugery and still not a thing working. How long do I have to reinnervation of the hand muscles? as they have been gone for two month's.

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Recovery will be gradual

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concern.
The nerve regenerates at the rate of 1-3 mm per day if cut.
The nerve injury due to entrapment recovers early.
The improvement can be seen in nerve conduction testing and comparing it with presurgical values.
The clinical improvement in terms of recovery in muscle bulk and strength may take about 6-9 months.
Physiotherapy of small muscles of hand should be done regularly.
The choice of operation depends upon case.
In case of compression or stretching injury without actually nerve cut, decompression surgery is better.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further information.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (1 hour later)

So the injury I sustained was really bad even though It was only compression,? I had all the worst symptoms very quickly why did that happen? The physiotherapy is very hard for me to do as I still have no ulnar nerve signal in my hand so I am struggling to do alot of tasks in hand physio therapy. The surgery I had done was the anterior interosseous nerve transfer end to side anastomosis to the Ulnar nerve as well as the decompression. How long does the ain nerve transfer take to work as it is much shorter to the hand?

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The recovery will be delayed

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question.
As there is transfer of anterior interosseous nerve and anastomosis to ulnar the nerve, the recovery may be delayed.
The electrical impulse in anterior interosseous nerve will have to supply the ulnar innervated muscles.
The training is required to learn signal related muscle and hand movements.
Regards
Dr N Kumar

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (14 hours later)

Hello Dr the approximate time before the anterior interosseous nerve transfer to the Ulnar how long is that around as I am 6 week's out of surgey. And i am desperate for the nerve signal to reach my hand.

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Wait for another month

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The exact timing is difficult to estimate.
The improvement may occur in 2-3 months time.
Nerve conduction may be repeated.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (1 hour later)

Is nerve conduction studies the only way to find that out? My nerve was only compressed not cut but I sustained neuron death as a result I have the clawing of fourth and fifth fingers with muscle wasting. Do nerves regenerate in the ulnar nerve? Mine ulnar nerve is not dead is it?

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Regeneration will take time

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is hard to say the amount of compression related damage to nerve.
The regeneration takes time.
Nerve conduction helps in getting some idea of electrical conduction through nerves.
Ulnar nerve fascicle may regenerate with time.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad