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]

Jay, I was setting an ice pack over the cast in the area that was having the most pain, after awhile i could start feeling it though the cast. I bought a pack that was 6-8" long and maybe 4-6 inches wide, not to thick but something thing that will fold over the area.  wrap it in a t shirt just not something to thick, I used an ace wrap to hold it in place. good luck  Phill

[jay1900]

ty for ur reply ,i would love to stick my whole hand in ice but can only get as far as knuckles cos of plaster for at leas 4 more weeks "sigh" and no after the pain pre op i dont intend to do anything to ruin this fusion, same as u pain killers dont help and i was prescribed naproxin 500mg twice a day...had my stitches out at 8 days cos the half plaster they put on to start was loose so they had to remove that cos swelling went down quite quickly and thought may as well remove stitches then full cast, just wanted to check the pain does get worse after couple weeks puts my mind at rest ty

[Phill614]

Good morning Jay, Total Wrist Fusion was the most painful for me upwards of 3 weeks. If you look at my pics I have 1 that was 3 days post op, I made a special appointment because of the pain.  What I found that helped the most for me was IBprofine 800's 3 times a day as it was prescribed to ME, the hard core pain killers didn't help me much.  When I kept my hand elevated as much as possible it helped reduce the swelling and pain, and don't forget about the ice seemed to be a life saver for me.  Really for the next couple months you've got to kick back and let that fusion heal, don't think at some point that once the pain subsided that its ok to start doing things because you'll only screw up the doctors work and put yourself in further pain.  Jay I'm a couple months away from it being 4 year from my surgery, yes I still have very mild pain, yes there's still somethings I can't do but I have moved on with my life and I'm trying to make the best of the situation.  Jay keep this post updated on your progress because this is how other will be helped.  regards  Phill  

[jay1900]

i had a total wrist fusion 15 days ago last few days my knuckles and back of hand have become extremely painful and the cast around back of hand quite tight the swelling had gone down loads but now feels up again is this normal for it hurt more each day as i didnt have this amount of pain to start with post op i know its bin a while since your op but u seem to be the only person i can find online with good info thank you for any reply

[Phill614]

Hi, this is completely normal, my hand and fingers were so swollen for at least 3 weeks. If you click on my name Phill614 off to the side you can view my pics.  I have 1 that's 3 days post op.  good luck and a small bit of advice "don't use your hand for anything except the finger exercises that the doctor probably is having you do.  Don't chance of messing up the fusion.  Good Luck  Phill

[Phill614]

Hi, this is completely normal, my hand and fingers were so swollen for at least 3 weeks. If you click on my name Phill614 off to the side you can view my pics.  I have 1 that's 3 days post op.  good luck and a small bit of advice "don't use your hand for anything except the finger exercises that the doctor probably is having you do.  Don't chance of messing up the fusion.  Good Luck  Phill