Scaphoid Excision and Four Corner Wrist Fusion Information

[mike215000]

Hello everyone.  It looks like I am going to need to have my scaphoid removed and the four corner wrist fusion.  I am 30 years old, currently a personal trainer and competitive fighter which is part of the reason I have been post poning this surgery for so long.  As of 3 wks ago I can barely use my wrist now and my doctor will not give me a cortisone shot anymore.  My question is for anyone who has already had this type of surgery. How inhibited are you with the limited wrist movement? Does anyone work out with it?  Can you lift weights, will the wrist allow for high amounts of weighted load like doing a bench press and can you still grip ok?  My doc said I will loose 40% of my grip strength also.  Any insight would be awesome as I need some positive affirmation being that this will change my life.

[Joe_G_P]

24 years ago I went through a plate glass door cut 8 tendows two nerves and an artery in my left wrist.  2 years ago I fell and am facing 4CF on same wrist.  My question, did your injury lose the grip strength or did the surgery lose it?  My grip was already poor and was immediately worse after the fall.  is it going to worsen still?

[Benno57]

What exercises did you do post op

[Crw910]

Like you, I'm an avid crossfitter and am having the 4-corner fusion and scaphoid excision next week. How are you handling the WOD's? What modifications if any are you having to do? The Dr. told me i should be back at 100% within 4 months post op. After reading some of these posts, I think he might be being ambitious. The positive thing though, he understands crossfit. His wife is one of the owners and coaches at my box. I am a little nervous about the surgery as far as range of motion and grip strength. Any advice anyone can give would be greatly appreciated!

[clr84]

I had the surgery yesterday 11/19/14. I'm in a good bit of pain even with the pain pump. When does the hardcore pain relieve itself?

[bmagnon]

Its been about a year now that you've gotten the fusion done. Could you inform me on the ROM you now have, if you have any. I was told that you no longer have any, is that true? Due to the fact that you received the fusion and no longer able to use it like before, does it effect your activities. ?

[ghipps]

I am 7 weeks post op. my pain is still pretty high. Headed back to the Doc today to try and figure out whats going on with the pain. It is different than right after the Sx it is a sharp pain almost like "shin splints"...I ordered Di2 for when i do get back on the bike hopefully it will make shifting easier.

[CrossFitJunkie]

I am having this surgery on the 16th of June, and I am definitely concerned.  I am a Marine and an avid Cross Fitter.  Concerned about not being able to perform my job and continue doing crossfit.  I see a lot of folks on here going back to exercising and have great success, I just hope that I have the same results.  I am not certain how long it will take to get back to normal, if that ever happens, but I do know that I need to be patient with the process.  

[Kati1958]

How long time  did the 4CF surgery take ?

[Kodiakkid41]

Was wondering how your wrist is after surgery.  I know it's been a couple years, are things good?  Any information is appreciated

[JeffB44]

I was off mountain bike racing for a year.  I still did some triathlons, but that isn't anywhere near the same experience.  After my rock-breaking epiphany, I jumped back on the bike and I haven't looked back.  Shifting the front derailleur is not easy, but it's better than dropping coin on 1X11.  Good grips really help too.

[ghipps]

hey Jeff how long were you off the bike?
I race the road bike and MTB.
thanks

[Kleetus1]

I had the scaphoid excision and 4 corner fusion less then 2 months ago due to my wrist dislocating and popping every time I used it. Getting this surgery was a difficult choice for me because I am an electrician in a coal mine and very active outside of work, and also only being 28 years old. The pain was unbearable and I lived with it long enough. I went to Cleveland clinic and got the surgery. My doctor was great. I have the cast off and been to therapy twice do far. I have 50% motion if not more already and no pain, even when I do my wrist work outs. In the past 4 days I gained 6 degrees of motion in all ways. The only thing I'm gonna have to get use to is no pain and no dislocating and that's not going to be hard :). I return back to work dec 10th. Exactly 2 months after surgery and 1 month ahead of schedule. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask me and if you need the surgery and whiling to go to Cleveland, I will give you the name of my doctor and he does really good work and cares a lot. I seen 4 diff doctors before him and no one wanted to try to correct my problem and they couldn't explain it. One also tried to sent me to Baltimore, I'm from ohio. The doctor in Cleveland explained my problem and gave me choices within 20 mins. Amazing

[Pony12345]

So are you out of pain now?

[JeffB44]

I feel the need to respond and give you all a little bit of hope.  I had 4CF exactly one year ago.  It was very hard on my psychologically and physically.  I am a mountain biker, triathlete, and I am very active.  You can imagine I felt as if my life were going to be taken from me.  That wasn't really the case.

Be prepared for a long recovery.  I was told a year for complete recovery and it's taken me about that long to get back to where I feel "normal."  Most of the time I don't recognize that I have any limitation even though I lost 50% of my flexibility and about 20% of my strength.  My swimming is as fast as it was before and I have no concerns when riding a road or mountain bike.  Just the other day I broke a 6 inch rock with a pick axe.  It scared me a lot, but it caused no harm to my wrist.

You'll figure it out.  Just keep a good attitude, work through the rehab like you should, and be happy with what you get.  Life will be different, but hopefully it has less pain than you have now.

[mutleyracers1]

Hi MiIke, am just wondering how your wrist is doing now and if you have been able to keep u your sporting activities. I like sports and also love martial arts and now, I have been told to have this operation. Well actually, my doctor tells me that it would be better to go straight for a wrist fusion as most people who have the 4 corner fusion come back in 2 yrs asking for the full fusion.

As this is a big decision in my life, and we had the same hobbies, I am interested to know how you got on

Cheers

Lee

[Lar728]

Jayne462 I noticed you mentioned law enforcement.  How long did it take you to recover well enough to return back to road patrol duties?  I had my surgery on 3/21/13 still have not returned to work yet.  It's only been approximately seven weeks.  I am a little concerned with having to get physical with someone once I return back to work in law enforcement.  My flexibility is limited, and I am also concerned about grip strength.  I have started lifting light weights, but my progress seems to have plateaued a bit.  Was wondering if you experienced the same things.  My surgery went well and doctors says he is starting to see the bone fuse around the screws.

[Jayne462]

I had the four-corner fusion May 18th - still very stiff and sore. My arm was black from my fingers to my elbow. I am interested in seeing what I am going to be facing long term. I am very active - play guitar, sail, gardening, animal rescue - law enforcement.  I hope that despite the loss of motion, I will have no pain.  Please keep us all posted on your progress.

[mike215000]

In my 12th week post four corner wrist fusion surgery.  Seems like its healing good.  My specialist says everything looks real solid.  Just began rehab strengthening two-three weeks ago.  Its getting alright range of motion when its warm.  About 50 degrees both ways but it has to be heated otherwise its stiff but that can be expected till it gets stronger.  I can finally do light weights along with all the rehab exercises.  Hopefully three more months and it will be strong enough to put some good stress on.  Its a long process but its going good.

[Zip224373]

Thanks, Mike.  I wish you a speedy recovery.  It sounds like you have the right mind set to be back to form quickly.  Best of luck.

[mike215000]

Zip, well its only been 3 weeks since surgery, still in a cast.  From the XRays and my specialists opinion everything looks good.  Can't really use my hand yet, still hurts alittle but it seems good.  I tried to avoid it for 2yrs with cortisone.  I'm not really sure of the exact limitations or no limitations I'll have with the surgery.  I'm hoping to return to all my activities in 6 months.  I'm a competitive athlete and the doc doesn't seem to confident I'll be able to compete again but they don't set the expectations to high obviusely in case any thing happens. It will only be 6 weeks in a cast, then a splint and therapy strengthening from then on.  He gave me a window of 6 mths to 2yrs before It will be fully strong.  We'll see.  Check back in a month or so, I'll keep you updated.  Obviousely the surgery is no joke.  You won't have a scaphoid anymore and the other 7 wrist bones will be grafted together and then further held together with 8 pines and a hub cap plate.  Good luck!

[Trees1]

Good luck and keep the faith that you will recover to live a normal active life.

[Zip224373]

I was hoping you could tell me how you are doing.  My doctor has recommended a four corner fusion for my left wrist.  I tore the scapholunate ligament playing hockey three years ago and underwent surgery in sept. 2010 In which the doctor tried to screw the scaphoid and lunate together.  It didn't work so he removed the screw last month and now wants to do a four corner fusion.  

[49reds]

I had the four corner wrist fusion on Dec 23, 2009 and have had good results. I am 61 and after 15 weeks in a splint began weight lifting (machines only). I have slowing worked up by doing more reps of lighter weights. I think high amounts on the bench press will be difficult but you are much younger than me. You will have very limited motion in your wrist and gripping will not be what it use to be. On the positive side, I began playing golf 6 months after surgery and after a slow start have a presentable golf game for an old man. I will strongly suggest that you get occupational rehab; it helped me tremendously. You will be able to work out and continue personal training.