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]

Today has been 4 years 5 days since I had my Total Wrist fusion and I when started this Thread to hopefully help others be a little more informed with what they might expect.  There isn't a day that goes by that i'm not reminded some limitations that I have from the fusion but I have learned to deal with them and move on. I can do "most" everything I did before the having my wrist destroyed then having it fused.  At times in the cold weather the wrist aches but it doesn't last to long.  My middle knuckle sticks up higher then the rest because of the angle the wirst was fused, I tend to bump it once in awhile which can be painful. At times I can still make excuses why I can't do something becasue of the wrist but It's probably because of a bad day and I'm going through A poor me attitude. As I've stated before in previous entries I'm an Aircraft mechanic for an airline and still perform all my duties with no limitations. I found my left arm became weaker because I babied it because of the fusion and could see the muscle was smaller than the other arm so now work out with weights up to 175 lbs for now and don't really plan to go heavier. I also found it was really easy to become inactive and lazy for some time after the fusion because in my mind I was making excuses why I couldn't do a lot of things when actually I could. I feel more confident as time goes on and try to stay out of the poor me attitude.  Right now I feel good, my health is good, and life is good. If your thinking of having a Total Wrist Fusion make sure you do your research, find the best doctor you can and follow his instruction after your surgery.  If your a smoker that can be an issue with your fusion talk to your doctor about that.  If "anyone" has any questions I can maybe answer please post, if your been through fusion and have something to add that may help someone else again please post.  Take care  Phill

[Phill614]

That's great news Blondie, has the doctor got you set up in physical therapy yet? I believe I also had lots of numbness mostly along the huge scar line and now it's mostly gone or I just don't pay attention to it. Thanks for sharing Blondie and continue to let us know about your progress.  Phill

[Blondie302002]

8 weeks post op!  Got my cast off today. Wrist feels much better. X-ray show fusion is progressing nicely. I still have a lot of numbness on the top of my hand. Otherwise I don't have near as much pain in my wrist

[gsal]

Great News, I used cocoa butter several times a dayand my scar is almost non existent. Good luck and keep updating!

[Phill614]

Thanks for sharing Blondie, I can't emphasize enough to be careful and let everything heal before using your hand. The only thing the doctor wanted me to do is constantly move my fingers because rehab is so much harder if your fingers are stiff.  Please keep everyone informed and anything along the way you find that might help someone else.  Phill

[Blondie302002]

2 1/2 weeks post op. Got all of my staples and stitches out. Arm incision healed nicely. My hip incision isn't completely healed. Feels so much better without staples though.  I now have a cast. Other than pain of just having surgery, my wrist feels much better.  I will be in my cast at least 8 weeks doctor says all looks very good.  This is the first positive news he's given me in nearly a year!  My fingers are very stiff and sore but I have been moving them.  Sometimes I have shooting pain down my fingers. I expect this to improve though!  Happy healing to all!