What Are the Complications After Surgery on the Ulnar Nerve?

People with a compressed ulnar nerve in the elbow area may experience tingling sensations and numbness in the fingers, or weakness in the elbow area and hand. A doctor may decompress the ulnar nerve with a surgical procedure.

Infection

• According to the New York University Medical Center, ulnar nerve decompression may cause an infection. Doctors may treat infections with antibiotics or another surgery.

Numbness Patch

• Patients who undergo surgery to decompress an ulnar nerve may develop numbness in an area near the elbow. This numbness usually goes away after several months.

Wound Tenderness

• The surgical incision site may remain tender for a few months following ulnar nerve decompression surgery.

Nerve Damage

• Surgery to decompress an ulnar nerve may rarely cause nerve damage that makes a patient's hand weak or numb.

Reasons for Surgery

• Decompression surgery may be required in severe cases of ulnar nerve compression and in cases where rest has not relieved a patient's symptoms.