degenerative post traumatic arthritis of the wrist

A couple weeks ago my family doctor diagnosed me with a ganglion cyst in my right wrist.  I had been experiencing increased pain for about five weeks, with weakness in the fingers and occasional numbness.  At first he told me to rest it with a splint and apply heat.  When this didn't work, he referred me to an orthopedic surgeon.

I saw the orthopedic surgeon last week.  When the x-rays came back, he found I did not have a cyst (at least not that he can tell), but rather I have an old fracture of the ulna with significant arthritis on the bone.  This came as a complete shock to me as I don't remember ever having fractured it, nor does the rest of my family.  

The doctor gave me a shot of cortisone and scheduled an appointment for six weeks.  He told me if it still hurt then they would schedule an MRI.  I am to rest the wrist with a splint when it is giving me trouble, or when i'm working (spend a lot of time on the computer for my job).

Unfortunately today, only five days after the shot, I have continued to have weakness in the hand and am now having the pins and needles feeling off and on, with occasional shooting pains (not strong, but I can feel them).  

Has anyone ever had this problem before?  What is the standard next protocol?  I'd hate any kind of surgery but know I cannot continue having this kind of problem when it affects my ability to do my job.  I'm only 29 and know whatever treatments I do now will have a great impact on how I function in the future.  Any insight is most appreciated.

[MelandKaty]

Just putting out another plea to those who've gone through this before!  I really feel so lost about my stupid wrist.  The tingling, weird shooting pain, and weakness is getting worse.  I really hope there are other options besides surgery.

[txsilver]

I have not gone through this yet but am facing up to the fact I must do something about the tingling digits in my left hand.  I hope you have called the doctor to tell him things are getting worse and not better.  From what I have read, if you do not get better by immobilizing it and cortisone does not work, then surgery is the next step.  I hope someone here may know of something else, but I am not aware of any other progression.  Hang in there!

[ambots]

2years ago i had a motorcycle accident which causes my wrists to be fractured. i went to Orthopedic Hosp and told me it cannot be treated by simply putting a cast on it..So i undergone into a surgery (RAEF) refers to an external fixation..they put on metals ..screwed in my bones for 2months..and then cast for 2 weeks..and then several times of therapy..
years passed by, i am still suffering from the same pain you are with..
they called it as POST TRAUMATIC ARTHRITIS of the wrist.
You can also be positve in their so called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome..

For home treatment, you can just soak your wrist in a lukewarm water..it will surely lessen the pain you are experiencing..
You can also ask the doctor...they can refer you to have a wrist splint(a brace for your wrist so it can lessen the workloads you have..it prevents you from lifting heavy objects, can also reduce the pain from a whole day exposure to a computer( encoding job all day)...

i am planning to have my check up again so i can take necessary medication for these..the pain is quite alarming...

See a doctor so you can prevent it from a more serious case.