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 Millmooo, I'm sorry to hear of the severe pain you're having to endure. I too have an ankle that is on the border of being fused or to go through and ankle replacement, but for now I'm living and dealing with with minor pain at times.  Now to the wrists, If you want to know what it's like to have a fused wrist I'd say get a bowling brace or some kind of brace that's not to bulky which has a slight angle to it which the doctor will fuse like that.  Ware it for a few days and get to know what will be things will really tough to do, for instance wiping your bottom, yes that right it may sound gross or sick but let me tell you with my Total Wrist Fusion (TWF) I cannot do that with my fused wrist/hand, I must use the other hand because it bends.  I'm not suggesting the wrist replacement I just want you to think about what you cannot do with 2 fused wrist. I cannot imagine both of my wrists being fused but I suppose if there really was no other choice that's what I would do, and learn to live life the best I could as you already know by your ankle joint replacement.  Millmooo please keep this Total Wrist Fusion blog updated so others will now what your going through and what suggestions you may for them. Thanks for you post. regards  Phill

[Millmooo]

Hi, I'm 43 & I have RA, I had an ankle replacement a year and a half ago and it's completely changed my life!
Shortly after my recovery from my ankle op, I started to get severe pain in my hands, both of my wrists I understand have started to fuse themselves, I have no wrist movement and have adapted to this. I guess you get used to living with pain, anyway, I was given the option of a referral for wrist replacements, which I understand have a lifespan which I hope to outlive or fusion which I was advised would take away the pain and last for life, my decision was to opt for fusion as I have to go through this twice. I am due my first surgery on the 27/03.
I wanted to say thanks to everyone that has posted on here, for taking the time to write about their experiences, it helps someone like me understand a little about what recovery etc is going to be like.

[Phill614]

Hi everyone, back in Nov. 2014 I posted that it's been 5 years since my TWF, well that was wrong it's been 7 years (going by the first day I started this thread).  I'm grateful so many people has found the thread useful and hope many more do.  If anyone has questions I can answer i'll do my best.  Hope to hear back from others that have their TWF and how they've been able to move on with their life with this in my opinion a very traumatic event.  Also it is important that we hear back from those that are going through the healing from a resent TWF.   Phill

[Phill614]

Good morning Ladywolfe, it's been 2 1/2 months now since your total wrist fusion, how has it been?  Are you able to use your hand yet? If you have the time please let the group know your progress and anything that you felt could be helpful to the next person that may have to have a Total Wrist Fusion.

[Dixfiles]

Sounds like we are married to the same man! I am little over month, plate and 8 screws. I awoke after surgery screaming in pain, nerve block and Demerol helped!  I am off heavy pain pills now , Aleve is my friend at night!
My little finger is swollen and painful! When stitches were removed I was told not to lift anything heavier than a teacup which I thought strange because I couldn't lift a napkin, my socks seem too heavy . first thing I learned was put your bad arm in first. And elastic is your friend I am most grateful this was not in my dominant hand, yes I can turn the key in car, can,t open or close the door though!
Best of luck,
We,ll be zipping before we know it

[B23scott]

Hello, Brian here. I'm going to have a total wrist fusion on1/21/15. Back in June I had a scapholunate ligament tear off my scaphoid and had tfcc debrievment. I am not the best speller so bare with me. I opted for the total fusion because I developed bad arthritis in my wrist in a matter of months and don't want to go threw 4-8 surgeries. So a few days ago I decided that I didn't want to risk a parcel fusion not working and since I can barley move my wrist any way. Phill thanks for starting this thread and I will do my best to post my progress in hopes all goes well and maybe save someone else from going threw a bunch of operations. Brian.