My scaphoid has failed me. (calling all FL doctors/advice givers!) > XRay iNside<

Hi, To bring you up to speed, let me first say my info.

Im 20, had a broken scaphoid for like 2 or 3 yrs before i was operated on in 2006. All went ok, and it looks like it would heal. I had a graft from my bond on my forearm as can be seen in xrays. I had a blood supply line givin to the scaphoid non union fix to give it blood flow. I went about my business til I went to sign up for the military to become a Helicopter Pilot, and was denied due to it not healing. My question, as I went to my orth already and hes refering me to a DUKE Uinversity doctor, and im all the way in S florida is:

Is there any where in florida that would take a graft from my ankle area, which can do vascularized graft, which I guess is a big deal to my "hand surgeon, Doctor Gates.?

Is there any way I would be able to find this out, bar calling every doctor office in flordia?

Is this procedure, in which they re-fix the problem, worth it? (doc told me ide have 2 groups of surgeons working on me, for my ankle area, and the wrist...$$ wise??

Am i doomed :(

Thanks, and added the XRAY for ya all

[Dr Vinod]

Remember each type of bone fracture is different and your's is very well handled till now as the distant part is not getting blood supply so it was arranged that the blood supply is intact but as it is not healing you have to select a good orthopaedic surgery to fix your case permanently.
You just need to go to a good facility in Florida and you will be adviced by the Orthopaedic department about who is the best surgeon who would help you and you can go ahead!
Do not lose hope remember every human being is different and special and your injury will never be common to anyone.
Surgeons will surely work something to get a vacularized graft for you!
Take care

[jasencollege]

Thanks for your kind and reassuring words. Do you have any idea where I would go to find such a doctor. Maybe miami or something? I live in a small city called Marco Island Florida (google, its a small island!). And i dont know if anyone in the nearby Naples or Marco would be up for it. I surely dont want to just drive around the state looking for a surgeon, tho.

Thanks doc!

[Dr Vinod]

We can give some direction to your problem and help you get out of sufferings.
We cannot recommend a hospital but i will suggest you one:
http://www.orthomercy.com/

Please google yourself and visit and talk with few of them and go with the best one!
You will get your surgeon and keep taking pain killers intermittently if you have pain.

At your age it is common to get angry but remember that the unfortunate accident happened on you and the surgeons will try to help you out.

Take care!

[kriyamon]

I too am faced with inevitable four corner fusion or proximal row carpectomy.  I broke my schaphoid 40 years ago and never knew it.  it's been painful for 30 years, and now necrotic and collapsed it is time.

I'm very glad to see this string as I have searched the internet for years for information and support with this problem.  I am an avid surfer, gardner, and guitar player and treasure the use of my hands.  

I want to talk to others who have been through this and can provide support and advice on procedures, doctors, etc. (I had my hip replace 2 years ago and there were numeroous web-based bulletin boards with tons of information and support.)  I have not found that for SNAC wrist problems.

Any suggestions?  If there is no group we should create one....there are others out there who need it too.