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Should I go with hand surgery ?
Hello,
After four weeks since my hand was put in gypsum, my doctor told me just now that I have a choice whether to make surgery to straighten my finger metacarpi or leave it as it is without any functional damage to it but with a bent weld. My question is whether to go with surgery or not, given that so much time had passed. Also I'm a martial arts practitioner and I would like to be able to use my fist without higher risk of breaking it again but my doubt is whether surgery would make metacarpi much straighter or not than it is now and if is there a risk of nerve damage that could worsen the state of my hand? A second opinion will be of great help, thank you!
After four weeks since my hand was put in gypsum, my doctor told me just now that I have a choice whether to make surgery to straighten my finger metacarpi or leave it as it is without any functional damage to it but with a bent weld. My question is whether to go with surgery or not, given that so much time had passed. Also I'm a martial arts practitioner and I would like to be able to use my fist without higher risk of breaking it again but my doubt is whether surgery would make metacarpi much straighter or not than it is now and if is there a risk of nerve damage that could worsen the state of my hand? A second opinion will be of great help, thank you!
You are very welcome. I am not a doctor, so please fully discuss this decision with him/her. I can only give you my opinion based on my experiences. Good luck! jd1963
Thank you very much doctor for your response, I will definitely go with surgery now. Best regards!
Sorry, I was so dismayed at that misalignment I didn't fully answer your original question(s). There is always a risk of some nerve damage with surgery, however in your case the worst possible damage would be numbness in that finger (or a section of). If you have a good Orthopod he/she will avoid the nerve(s).
As far as anatomical position, there again, if you have a good surgeon the metacarpal will be perfectly straight or very close to it. jd1963
As far as anatomical position, there again, if you have a good surgeon the metacarpal will be perfectly straight or very close to it. jd1963
Hi! Welcome to MedHelp! I am the Orthopedic Leader for this site. Let me tell you, that is probably one of the worst reductions I've seen in a while. It shouldn't have been cast in that position! Since you are 4 weeks out, I'm afraid surgery is now your only option. If that fracture was to ever heal (and in that position I doubt it) it wouldn't be very functional and it would be very susceptible for a future fracture. The problem is the bone ends have now created a "pseudo type" cartilage. This will prevent the fracture from healing. What needs to be done is a ORIF (Open Reduction Internal Fixation), but first the "cartilage" has to be removed. This is accomplished by curettage (scraping with a curette). I recommend that this procedure be done by anyone except the person that ordered this to be cast. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. If you would like more information, please don't hesitate to contact me. Best wishes! jd1963
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