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Experience of living with chronic pain in conjunction with surgery for ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow-A qualitative study

Giöstad, Alice ; Carlsson, Ingela K. LU ; Dahlin, Lars B. LU orcid and Nyman, Erika LU (2024) In PLoS ONE 19(6 June).
Abstract

Purpose Pain in conjunction with surgery for ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow is seldom highlighted in the literature. This study aimed to explore patients' experiences of living with chronic pain (≥3 months duration) in conjunction with surgery for ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow, the consequences and the coping strategies applied. Material and methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 participants aged 18-60 years. The narratives were analyzed using an inductive approach and content-analysis. Results The analysis revealed seven main categories: "Physical symptoms/impairments"and "Mood and emotions"comprise symptoms caused by ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow and chronic pain; "Consequences in daily life"includes... (More)

Purpose Pain in conjunction with surgery for ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow is seldom highlighted in the literature. This study aimed to explore patients' experiences of living with chronic pain (≥3 months duration) in conjunction with surgery for ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow, the consequences and the coping strategies applied. Material and methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 participants aged 18-60 years. The narratives were analyzed using an inductive approach and content-analysis. Results The analysis revealed seven main categories: "Physical symptoms/impairments"and "Mood and emotions"comprise symptoms caused by ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow and chronic pain; "Consequences in daily life"includes challenges and obstacles in everyday life, impact on leisure activities and social life; "Struggling with self-image"embraces experiences closely related to identity; "Coping strategies"covers adaptive resources; "Experience of relief "describes perceived improvements; "Key message for future care"comprises important aspects for healthcare providers to consider. Conclusions The results clarify the need for healthcare personnel to adopt a biopsychosocial approach when treating patients with ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow. Emotional symptoms and sleep disturbances should be identified and treated properly since they contribute to the heavy burden experienced by the individual.

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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
PLoS ONE
volume
19
issue
6 June
article number
e0306327
publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
external identifiers
  • scopus:85197106430
  • pmid:38941288
ISSN
1932-6203
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0306327
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3046e929-3c61-4a62-9740-da115ae2c971
date added to LUP
2024-10-14 12:56:55
date last changed
2025-07-08 11:27:05
@article{3046e929-3c61-4a62-9740-da115ae2c971,
  abstract     = {{<p>Purpose Pain in conjunction with surgery for ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow is seldom highlighted in the literature. This study aimed to explore patients' experiences of living with chronic pain (≥3 months duration) in conjunction with surgery for ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow, the consequences and the coping strategies applied. Material and methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 participants aged 18-60 years. The narratives were analyzed using an inductive approach and content-analysis. Results The analysis revealed seven main categories: "Physical symptoms/impairments"and "Mood and emotions"comprise symptoms caused by ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow and chronic pain; "Consequences in daily life"includes challenges and obstacles in everyday life, impact on leisure activities and social life; "Struggling with self-image"embraces experiences closely related to identity; "Coping strategies"covers adaptive resources; "Experience of relief "describes perceived improvements; "Key message for future care"comprises important aspects for healthcare providers to consider. Conclusions The results clarify the need for healthcare personnel to adopt a biopsychosocial approach when treating patients with ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow. Emotional symptoms and sleep disturbances should be identified and treated properly since they contribute to the heavy burden experienced by the individual.</p>}},
  author       = {{Giöstad, Alice and Carlsson, Ingela K. and Dahlin, Lars B. and Nyman, Erika}},
  issn         = {{1932-6203}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{6 June}},
  publisher    = {{Public Library of Science (PLoS)}},
  series       = {{PLoS ONE}},
  title        = {{Experience of living with chronic pain in conjunction with surgery for ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow-A qualitative study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306327}},
  doi          = {{10.1371/journal.pone.0306327}},
  volume       = {{19}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}