wrist fusion surgery????......really bummed

[jeremy714]

two years ago i hurt my wrist snowboarding......i didnt see a doctor until a couple months had gone by........a few doctors, mri's xrays and arthrograms later i found the wrist doctor for the lakers. he came to the conclusion that i tore a small ligament in my wrist causing the instability and pain at the base of my thumb and wrist.  my grip isnt too bad but it hurts to do anything, especially exerting pressure with my hand.  the doctor said the only realistic option would be to fuse the wrist, however he thinks id be better off living with the pain. id like to do that but its getting worse. seems the fusion is inevitable.
im an active 32 year old who lives to surf and snowboard. will i be able to do these things anymore let alone work?...................super worried and depressed.............

[Phill614]

7 DAYS SINCE TOTAL FUSION, just a short note.  the last 2 days i've been expierencing some extreem nerve and musle pain just below my shoulder to about 5 inches fwd of elbow where the arm bends.  pain meds not really helping this issue, i've just put Bio Freeze on this area and it's feels a hair better.  it appears i'm also starting having another bout with Constipation, this really s u c k s.  talk to yall later   Phill

[RB19]

Sorry to hear about the nerve pain... and the constipation.  I had Dorsal Wrist Arthroplasty over 16 months ago, I was in the car accident over 22 months ago and since that day I have had pain like a dull ache that gets pretty intense.  I am young and my surgeon has told me to try to wait as long as possbile to have the fusion, mine would be partial, and the graph would come from my radius.  I plan on having surgery next year, it hurts way too much!  And has affected every part of my life! I am sure you understand.  
Drink plenty of fluids for the consto. and move your elbow it may help with the nerve pain.  Please continue to keep us up to date!

[Phill614]

i posted a few new pics of my wrist, just click on my name & it will get you there.  Also today is day 8 post op, no more Constipation TG.  I'm having lots of shooting pain from elbow (funny bone area).  shooting to my pinky finger & knuckles, no pain today so far around fusion site just every else.   LOL    TTYL   Phill

[Phill614]

Here's a link to where i'm keeping updates about my wrist-------------------------------------http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Orthopedics/Total-Wrist-Fusion/show/1093237          ; copy and paste in address bar          Phill

[pau38]

had a total left wrist fusion on fri 13nov.so far so good pain is o.k most of the time,and just wanted to reasure anyone out there who is nervous about having this done dont be,i was an absolute reck but it really isnt that bad.i had my wrist fused because my left hand is deformed(2 fingers missing)and i had worn out my wrist joint since my fusion the pain already seems much less.im back in hospital on 23 nov for dressings to be changed so will up date you all then.best of luck to all of you out there considering having this done.

[Phill614]

pau38, glad to hear your doing better, i got the stiches out yesterday (Nov. 16th) i'm not having much pain in the fusion area buy i'm having some intense ulnar nerve and forearm muscle pain, pain killers don't help.  i just bought a tennis/golf elbow strap that secures around the forearm & so far seems to help.  yesterday i started ultra sound therapy that promotes bone growth, the ultea sound product name is EXOGEN Bone Healing System.  i'm mention this because workmans comp apporved the use and payment of this machine which tell me it must work also the doctor said it was medically necessary, i use it daily for 20 min.  Tomarrow  bexyv (Becki) is having her wrist fused, so i'm sure she'll want all of our prayers.  here's again is the link to my progress (i'm a couple days behind)     http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Orthopedics/Total-Wrist-Fusion/show/1093237        ; Phill