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Date: 16.05.2007
From: joeboy777

Subject: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Hello everyone,

Im a 23 year old male. Late Thursday 5/10 I had an operation done on my left CMC joint. (the joint at the base of the thumb)

Before the surgery I asked the doctor what he was going to do and he said probably use pins to fuse the two joints together. But he wasn't sure until he got in there to see the damage.

Then after the surgery, the doctor said he put a plate in there instead because it was a lot worse than he thought.

I searched and searched but can't find any information about using a plate.

How is this different from using the pins?

Is nonunion more common when using a plate?

tia

Joe

p.s. if you need more details please ask.
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Date: 16.05.2007
From: Lin Williams

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

HI Joe,
From what I understand is when pinning it just fuses the joint, but in crumbling bones, they tend to use plates to stabalise, have you had any tests done to see whether you have osteoarthritis or sero negative rheumatoid arthritis?? If you require info on fusions/plates, you can always contact an Orthapaedic department, they are always helpful
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Date: 17.05.2007
From: Joe

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

thank you Lin. im very concerned.

the arthritis is due to an injury that happened 3 years ago.

i have an apt. with the doctor on Friday. I have a ton of questions to ask him. I should have called him earlier today.

i hope the pain goes away when it is heeled. Do you think i will loose a lot of motion?

thank again
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Date: 17.05.2007
From: Lin Williams

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Hi Joe,
Nice to know i'm not just bumping my gums to a screen, there are real people out there. It's nice to know that there are people who genuinely care and suffer so it's nice to talk to someone other than doctors, specialist etc who understand the trials of living with pain every day.

Good luck for your doctors appointment on Friday, I only hope they can answer all your questions truthfully without sending you away with yet another prescription that wont do any good.

As for loosing a lot of motion, I can't answer that one but your specialist should.

Hope to hear from you soon.
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Date: 17.05.2007
From: joe

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

i meet with him tomorrow. will keep you posted.
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Date: 17.05.2007
From: Lin Williams

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Thanks, I would be interested
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Date: 19.05.2007
From: joe

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

visited the doctor today.

looked a an x-ray of my hand and there is a plate with 8 screws in holding the bones together for the fusion.

was made removable splint today and am returning o work tomorrow. 9 days after surgery.

i will take it easy but feel comfortable with the hand in the splint.
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Date: 19.05.2007
From: Lin Williams

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Thanks for letting me know, good luck with returning to work and hope everything goes ok.

Maybe we can chat from time to time using this forum.

Just out of curiosity, why did they do plate not just screws?
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Date: 20.05.2007
From: Joe

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

the plate connected the two bones. there was only one screw going from bone to bone.
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Date: 20.05.2007
From: Lin Williams

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Thanks for that, how did going back to work go??
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Date: 21.05.2007
From: joe

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

not bad at all. i can do a lot with the hand already. have some strength too. just have to be careful. i wear a custom removable splint to protect it for now.
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Date: 21.05.2007
From: Lin Williams

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Really glad work went ok and really pleased that you have gained some strengh too. Take it steady, will talk soon. Just one thing though, watch the full pint glasses, if possible hold with good hand until glass empty otherwise its a waste of good beer.
Cheers!
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Date: 22.05.2007
From: Joe

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

haha thanks Lin. I'm really looking forward to the final results. Everyday it feels better. I'm holding my hopes high. I want my hand to be pain free.

The doctor seemed very confident with the procedure.

Would alcohol slow the healing process? because I could use a drink!
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Date: 23.05.2007
From: Lin Williams

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

That depends on what medications you are taking and of course if you do have too much beer you could possibly fall over and undo everything.(that's your decision)

On the other hand(pardon the pun) would just one pint be enough??
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Date: 24.05.2007
From: Joe

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Yea one pint would be enough. I'm not taking any med's though.

Tomorrow I have a doctors appointment. I'm going to try and get the splint shortened so it only covers the thumb area. It would be nice to be able to use my wrist.
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Date: 24.05.2007
From: Lin Williams

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Hope the one pint tasted good, but I thought the whole idea of the splint was to stop you moving your hand too much as to enable it to heal properly, also you have tendons running along the hand to control fingers and thumbs, that's why your wrist is emobilised, but good luck with the doctors appointment, nice to know your not on any medications though.
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Date: 25.05.2007
From: Joe

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

I only wear the splint while doing an activity, working, or sleeping. I don't want my wrist bones to freeze up. In a couple weeks it should feel really good. The healing is just like a broken bone.
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Date: 26.05.2007
From: Lin Williams

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Well thats ok then, just didnt like the thought of you undoing everything that was done, especially when things are going great for you at the moment.

I cant type for long, having a really bad flare up and my fingers and hands wont work properly, so I will try and chat again in a few days,(not good typing with just two fingers.

talk soon

Lin
Bristol
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Date: 26.05.2007
From: Lin Williams

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Hi Joe,

Just a quick note to say hi and see how you are, my hands easing a little, just taken the pain killers.

Have a good bank holiday

Lin
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Date: 29.05.2007
From: Lin

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Hi Joe,

Hope you had a good Bank Holiday and that the hand is still healing well.

Hope to hear from you soon

Lin
Bristol
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Date: 12.06.2007
From: Joe

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

The hand is doing ok. Still not 100%, but yesterday was the 1 month surgery anniversary.

Two nights ago some female whom I hate now squeezed my hand. She said it was an accident and didn't know it was my bad hand. Now I have a sharp pain. Hopefully that pain goes away. I'll keep ya posted
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Date: 13.06.2007
From: Lin

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Hi Joe,

Nice to hear from you, thought I'd upset you or something. Really sorry to hear about the hand, can only suggest that if pain is still there in a few days, either contact your GP or go pain to clinic who did the op, (just in case).

Hope to hear from you soon

Lin
Bristol
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Date: 13.06.2007
From: Joe

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

well i have an apt. tomorrow with the follow up doctor, then friday with the surgeon. I think the pain should go away.

Joe
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Date: 14.06.2007
From: Lin

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

That's ok then, keep in touch
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Date: 14.06.2007
From: Lin

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Hi Joe,

How did your appointment go today, hope everything ok.

I have spent all afternoon at Frenchay hospital. Took the dog for a walk this morning and fell down a pot hole. I have chipped the bone in my ankle, extremely painful, very swollen and on crutches, (but hey!! it's taken the pain away from my joints in hands and my knee, ankle hurts too much).

Will chat soon

Lin
Bristol
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Date: 18.06.2007
From: Joe

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

I'm sorry to hear that Lin, it must hurt. I hope it feels better soon, and have good health care. Are you planning any operations or anything to help your pain?

My hand is started to feel great. Just a little tight when I move my thumb. Feels like the tendon. Feels better everyday though. I'm already back to my surf casting for striped bass. : )

I missed the apt with the surgeon. Alarm clock problem. I am going tomorrow though. I'm sure everything is ok, but he will confirm that with x-rays. Hopefully.

Joe
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Date: 18.06.2007
From: Joe

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Had an x-ray taken today. The metal plate holding the two bones together cracked. I'm sure that happened when she squeezed my hand. The doctor said it is too early to tell weather it is fusing correctly. He told me to wear the splint for two weeks. I don't want to. I have another apt with him in a month. I'm getting nervous.
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Date: 23.06.2007
From: Lin

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Hi Joe,
Great to hear from you. I am waiting for the knee specialist to get back to me, waiting for the results of the MRI scan. Hopefully, they will decide to operate on my right knee, (keeps swelling up and locking up)but I will have to wait and see what he decides.

Hey!! the ankle is healing, still quite painful, but at least I'm off the crutches now, just limping slightly (side effect of this is putting strain and pressure on right knee though)!

As for your hand, I'm sure everything will be ok, the squeeze of the hand might not of helped, but bones can sometimes take a while to heal. Wear the splint and be a good boy (it will help, they know what they are talking about)!. Really, don't worry too much, I know from example, it took several months for my husband's toe fusion to heal, but he got there. So keep your chin up and keep smiling, the light is at the end of the tunnel.

Keep me informed of your progress though.
speak to you soon (hopefully)

Lin
Bristol
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Date: 09.10.2007
From: Lin

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Hello Joe,

I hope you still read this site. Just thought I'd write to see how you are doing. Has the hand healed properly now and what are you upto at the moment (hopefully ejoying life to the full). It would be really great to hear from you.

Regards

Lin
Bristol
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Date: 09.10.2007
From: Lin

Subject: Re: CMC Fusion w/ PLATE

Hello Joe,

I hope you still read this site. Just thought I'd write to see how you are doing. Has the hand healed properly now and what are you upto at the moment (hopefully ejoying life to the full). It would be really great to hear from you.

Regards

Lin
Bristol
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