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Date: 20.08.2007
From: theresa

Subject: wrist fusion

hi, i am new, been told i have start of arthirtis on wrist thiumb and first finger. i broke my right wrist 9 years ago, doc have tryed everything, its been srtaightened, painkiller in jectiones, u name it. they done it. one doc mentioned that my only option now to get rod of the pain is a wrist fusion, i have been reading up on it,( i am 26) i wil now do anything get try get rid of this pain, they have told me very earlly signes of arthritis on wrist joint too. gettin refered for 2nd opintion,( seen at least 15 doc in 8 years) and pain is constantwearing a splint 24/7 but as wrist still moves in that.
phyios etc all say nothign they can do.

do you think i shoudl go with wrist fusion, its my last option, and i cant work due to pain when moving it, and splints gets get hot and smelly.
been off work for 9 years now...

HELP

theresa
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Date: 02.09.2007
From: Cherie Cliff

Subject: Re: wrist fusion

Hi Theresa, gosh tricky one. Basically you've done all the right things but I think you do need to speak to people who have had the op. before you make a decision. I hav'nt had a fusion so can't help on that front, but I do know someone who has. I will contact her - should be seeing her this week - her name is andrea so you can read her story at the top of this page, if you want to. I'll ask her to contact you via this website.
You're right as well the splints do get hot & smelly! I thought it was only me...

Cherie
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Date: 03.09.2007
From: theresa

Subject: Re: wrist fusion

hi , thanmks

i read andrea's story. look forward to hearing from her

theresa


ps also for to like with Epilepsy,
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Date: 05.09.2007
From: Gina

Subject: Re: wrist fusion

It was great to know that i wasn't the only one agrees with splints get hot and smelly. Does anyone have any ideas even after they have been washed keep them smell nice when using for long periods? Be insterestin I think? Good luck with whatever the decision is decide for and hope all will goes well for you.
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Date: 06.09.2007
From: ANDREA

Subject: Re: wrist fusion

HI THERESA

I MET UP WITH CHERIE TODAY AND I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY OWN EXPERIENCE WITH BOTH OF MY WRIST FUSIONS. I HOPE IT HELPS YOU IN SOME WAY.

WELL, I HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGED TO MY RIGHT WRIST AFTER 5 YEARS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS BUT, I MUST SAY IT WAS PRETTY AGGRESSIVE AND KEPT ME AWAKE AT NIGHT. SPLINTS ETC WERE NOT HELPING.

I WAS REFERRED TO A VERY GOOD SURGEON WHO TOLD ME ALL ABOUT THE PRO'S AND CON'S AND EXPLAINED WHAT TO EXPECT AFTERWARDS. I ALSO HAD A LARGE SPUR OR SOMETHING ON THE BACK OF MY WRIST WHICH RUBBED MY FINGER TENDONS CAUSING FLUID TO ACCUMMULATE IN THE BACK OF MY HAND. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO MY TENDONS SNAPPING. THIS COUPLED WITH THE EXCRUTIATING PAIN DAY AND NIGHT HELPED ME TO DECIDE TO GO AHEAD WITH THE FUSION AND I HAVE NEVER LOOKED BACK. I ALSO HAD THE OTHER WRIST DONE LAST YEAR. I LEFT THIS ONE A BIT LONGER AND UNFORTUNATELY TWO OF MY TENDONS HAD ALREADY SNAPPED. MY FINGERS WOULD NOT LIFT UP BUT MY SURGEON DID A FANTASTIC JOB OF MENDING THOSE TOO.

I STILL HAVE SOME PAIN IN BOTH WRISTS WHEN I'M IN A FLARE UP OR HAVE OVER USED THEM BUT NOTHING COMPARED TO HOW THEY WERE BEFORE.

TURNING WASHING MACHINE KNOBS ETC NO LONGER CAUSES THAT AWFUL BREATHTAKING PAIN, (MY ELBOES AND SHOULDERS STILL RESTRICT A LOT OF MY MOVEMENTS BUT THAT IS ANOTHER STORY). MY WRIST NO LONGER GET STUCK IN PAINFUL CRAMPS IN THE NIGHT ETC AND NO MORE SMELLY SPLINTS!

I WAS WORRIED ABOUT WHAT I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO WITH THEM AFTERWARDS AND HOW THEY WOULD LOOK BUT I COULDN'T BEND THEM ANYWAY. YOU LEARN TO USE THEM IN A DIFFERENT WAY AND I PERSONALLY THINK THEY LOOK BETTER NOW THAN THEY DID BEFORE.

THANKFULLY I AM A SUCCESS STORY AND I AM GLAD THAT I HAD THEM DONE. I DON'T REGRET IT FOR ONE MINUTE BUT OBVIOUSLY YOU NEED TO TALK TO YOUR SURGEON. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS AND WEIGH UP THE PRO'S AND CON'S FOR YOUR OWN INDIVIDUAL SITUATION. THEN YOU CAN DECIDE IF IT IS THE RIGHT DECISION FOR YOU PERSONALLY!

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN YOUR DECISION, IT IS ALWAYS A HARD ONE TO MAKE.

GOOD LUCK

ANDREA
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Date: 06.09.2007
From: theresa

Subject: Re: wrist fusion

hi andrea
Thanks for that, i have a few questions

what was pain from operation like and recovery how long etc. did you have cast etc?

at the stage i wake most nitgh with pain, cant type with that hand. writing. no way.

whats it like doign everyday things like houseowrk etc, since having fusion done. was it easy to get use to using that hand again.

my surgeon says its up to me if i wish to go ahead with wrist fusion, but he wants me to see other surgeon to make sure that best course of action.

hope to hear from other surgeon with in the next week, spoke to hospital yesterday

theresa
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Date: 06.09.2007
From: ANDREA

Subject: Re: wrist fusion

HI AGAIN THERESA

FIRSTLY I WILL SAY AGAIN EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT SO YOU MAY NOT BE THE SAME AND I CAN ONLY TALK ABOUT HOW IT WAS FOR ME.

I MUST ADMIT THE POST OPERATIVE PAIN WAS NOT VERY PLEASANT WHILST IN HOSPITAL BUT NO PAIN IS, IS IT! I WOULDN'T LIE AND TELL YOU THAT IT IS A WALK IN THE PARK BUT MINE WAS SHORT LIVED. I HAD REGULAR PAINKILLERS IN HOSPITAL AND PATIENT CONTROLLED MORPHINE, WHICH MEANS THAT YOU CAN PRESS A BUTTON AND YOUR DRIP WILL ADMINISTER THE CORRECT SAFE DOSE OF MORPHINE. THAT HELPED ME HUGELY! REMEMBER THAT IT'S NOT AN ENDURANCE TEST AND IF YOU TAKE ALL THE PAINKILLERS ADVISED BY THE DOCTORS AND NURSES, THEN YOU WILL BE COMFORTABLE. THEY SOMETIMES GIVE YOU A NERVE BLOCK THAT NUMBS YOUR ARM FOR A DAY OR TWO AND ALSO REDUCES THE PAIN GREATLY. REMEMBER, I DID GO BACK FOR THE SECOND ONE, SO IT DIDN'T PUT ME OFF!

I WAS IN HOSPITAL FOR ONE WEEK WITH THE FIRST AND I THINK IT WAS LONGER WITH THE SECOND ONE DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAD MY KNEE REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME (CRAZY PERSON)!

I THINK THE CAST COMES OFF AROUND 4-6 WEEKS BUT AGAIN VARIES FROM SURGEON TO SURGEON AND CASE TO CASE.

YOU GET USE TO YOUR NEW FUSION VERY QUICKLY AND FEEL THE BENEFIT OF NOT HAVING THE GRIND OF THE JOINT. THEY ARE PRETTY ROBUST BUT YOU MUST NOT DO ANYTHING TOO ADVENTUROUS TO LOOSEN IT UNTIL THE BONE HAS KNITTED BACK TOGETHER AROUND 5-6 WEEKS, AGAIN CHECK WITH SURGEON EXACT RECOVERY TIME THIS IS ONLY MY ESTIMATION.

MY ADVICE TO YOU IS TO WRITE DOWN ALL OF YOUR WORRIES AND QUESTIONS AND TAKE IT WITH YOU WHEN YOU SEE THE SURGEON OR HAVE IT TO HAND IF HE RINGS. THEY ARE PRETTY GOOD, BUT IF YOU FORGET SOMETHING, THEY DO VISIT YOU IN HOSPITAL BEFORE YOUR OP AND ARE VERY OBLIGING WITH LAST MINUTE QUESTIONS OR FEARS.

I MANAGED WITH THE PRESCRIBED PAINKILLERS WHEN I GOT HOME, THEN I GRADUALLY STARTED FEELING EASIER AND NOTICED THAT I COULD MANAGE TO DO MORE AND MORE THINGS. ONE STEP AT A TIME!

KEEP IN TOUCH AND ONCE AGAIN GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING.

ANDREA
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Date: 07.09.2007
From: Theresa

Subject: Re: wrist fusion

hi andrea

thanks for that, very helpful

wil keep i tiuch and let you know what i decide
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Date: 25.09.2007
From: theresa

Subject: Re: wrist fusion

well some progress i have my appt for surgeons second opioion, on 17 th oct..
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Date: 01.11.2007
From: theresa

Subject: Re: wrist fusion

well at long last 11 weeks since getting referred for a seconf opinion.

the surgeon suggested me getting a fitted splint made to give the affect of a wrist fusion, see if the pain eases, if so they will do a fusion if not , nothing can be done. so i have been tol di should have a call in a week or so to get this sorted out,
i will have to wear it 24/7 for uptp 2 months, if nothign by then. othing happens to keep your fingers crossed. for me. it helps. he went over with me 3 times what all happens with fusion. recovery etc, i am ok with that.
its been 9 year of this pain, cant work, so hears hoping.

theresa
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Date: 21.11.2007
From: theresa holder

Subject: Re: wrist fusion

at long last i have my splint. not the best colour but i can handle that... so hears hoping it reduced the pain.
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Date: 17.12.2007
From: theresa

Subject: Re: wrist fusion

hello

well had my thermo plastic splint now for a months. no pain( very little). its great i can t beleive i have put up with it for 9 years.
saw surgeron 2 weeks ago. he said ok to surgery but a waiting list of 4-6 months. great.
only prob is i am moving back to scotland in jan/feb 2008. so he's given me copies of all my notes and xray , scan u name it top give to surgeron there to save having to go theouigh it all again.

i dotn even notice i have it the splint on despite it being bright pink
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Date: 03.06.2008
From: theresa

Subject: Re: wrist fusion

well its now been 7 months i have had my splint, and due to moving to scotland, docs in england decided was ok fir wrist fusion,. but moved before it could be done, now waiting on appt from hosp to see surgeon, old surgeon gave me letter and disc with scans ect on it to give to new surgeon, i need back to work, will be 10 years in january this all started,
hosp say i shoudl have appt with in the next 2 weeks.. and pigs fly... just hope its soon..

theresa
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Date: 08.09.2008
From: theresa

Subject: Re: wrist fusion

hello

well seen one of the surgeons at hosp.. said yes go ahead for op, but its a collegue that does it so seeing her in a few weeks. been put on list and he says 8 weeks wait..but she may say sooner..as its been going on for so long.. so hear hoping...

theresa
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