Total Wrist Fusion

[Phill614]

well today is the big day, it's 10:50am central time and i have to be at the surgery center by 1pm.  Today i'm having a total fusion of my dominate left hand, i have looked at all options and this is in my best option if i want to get on with my life as normal as possible if that makes any sense.  I've had three operations on my left hand apr 30, 2008, feb. 13 2009 and june 6 2009.  the orginal problem for the first surgery was a small tear in the TFCC ligament, that it.  i had extensive physical therapy after each surgery with only temporary relief and sometimes no relief of pain.  I went through the process to change doctors through workers comp. which went ok.  My new doctor reviewed my previous records and more checks and test and we (Doc. and I)  determined the best option due to the type of work i do and the very active life style i have is to have a TOTAL WRIST FUSION.  I plan keep everyone updated as often as possible, i want others to know what i'm going through and hopefully inform them what they will be going through.  Oh by the way the reason for the total wirist fusion is my cartlidge is totally destroyed, i have a legal matter going on so i can't mention the cause of the destroyed cartlidge.  Talk to ya'll later  Phill

[Phill614]

Good morning 300Rum, I'm now 3 1/2 years post op Total Wrist Fusion.  Have you been check for carpal tunnel syndrome?  and when you say someone smacked your wrist with a hammer is his area a long the scar line where the plate is installed? The problem i expierence is my forearm gets tired easier and i presume this is because i use it less for wight bearing tasks and it starts to ache.  I have more of a problem when pressure is applied to my palm near the middle knuckle, i feel my fusion to some of the smaller bones either didn't take or arthritis has formed.  It's hard to think about going back to a doctor for my wrist or hand when it seems to be just nagging and not a sever issue.  I have a hard time trusting any hand doctor at this time because what i have delt with since my orginal surger with my hand doctor, so i have to be in extream pain before i go to another doctor again.  I have learned to deal with my limitations to my Left Wrist and try to as careful as possible.  Rum i've got to get to work so i'd be interested in additional details to your hand and wrist. take care   Phill

[300rum]

Hi I had total wrist fusion about 6 years ago on my right wrist. I am now amberdextrus but have to favor my right wrist still I get muscle falure in my hand and it feels like someone smack wrist with a ballpen hammer but only if I use it for a while is this normal  please let know thanks.I also get throbing pain threw my fingers.

[Phill614]

Gerr622, I personally have had a workers comp lawyer and felt it was a complete waste of time and money for what i needed.  A workers comp lawyer doesn't give a damn about you and only wants half of your settlement and 25% weekly paycheck.  Sorry but after what I went through I would have to be totally desprate to deal with workers comp lawyer, and maybe you were and it worked out for you.  Gerr I'm sorry you had to go through a second fusion, Please let others know how that's coming along.  thanks Phill

[Phill614]

Hi Lat62, i'm sorry to just getting back to answer your questions i've had a real hassle to get logged on to this site.  Lat it's been over 3 yrs 5 months since my TOTAL WRIST FUSION and i'm doing fine not great but fine.  I continue to work as a aircraft mechanic I have to TYPE an awful lot with no issues (and no i don't finger peck the keys I know how to type well) on and off the job.  I can't speak for all the other people out there that have had fusions but typing has never been an issue.  I personally would get another physical therapist that person doesn't know what there talking about. does your therapist have a TOTAL WRIST FUSION and have expierenced these issues with the forearm mucles and shoulder? If anything the mucles get tired or ache because i don't excersise the mucles enough but that's not been much of an issue.  As far for the angle of the wrist well my Dr. said it was set that way because if was a more natural postion to continue my every day life stuff, I have a issue with the way my middle knuckle sticks up and seems to get bumped every so often.  Lat62 you and anyone else reading is welcome to send me emails directly at phillcady @ yahoo. com (no spaces) to get quicker answers to questions you may have.  If you would, anything that you have gone through with your recovery that you can share with others and can add to this thread it would be great.  I hope this thread that i started has been helpful to you and others

[gsal]

Hello everyone, my name is Grant.I had total wrist fusion 5 weeks ago in Philadelphia. I am still in a cast which itches like crazy. I have progressed well so far but still have a dull ache in my hand/wrist and sometimes feel a clicking in the ulna area. Can anyone add some color to my comments and progression so far? I go back to the doctor on Monday for the post surgery X-ray and evaluation.

[lat62]

I had a severed ligament in the back of my right hand.  I had surgery in Dec. 2010 where they stretched a ligament from the palm side of my right hand through a hold they drilled and reattached to the back of my right hand (mid back of hand area).  I learned this surgery only works 50% of the time.  I knew going into the surgery, I would have to have either a partial or full wrist fusion eventually (depending on where the arthritis in the wrist joints occurred.  I recently found out the doctors feel I have stretched that ligament out and that a fusion is definite.  I just have a question though.  I type 90% of my work day M-F.  The pain seems to intensify the more I move my hand around and the more I type and move the mouse around.  I read the full wrist fusion gives you strength back but not movement.  Well I need the movement to continue my job.  I am just afraid that if I decide to have the full fusion, my working days are numbered.  (The physical therapist stated that I would hold my wrist and hand at a different angle when typing and I will start hurting my forearm muscles and eventually end up hurting my shoulder muscles.)  I was wondering if you are having issues moving your fingers constantly?