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Looks like its going to be a surgery

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 5/24/2018 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
After two months of dealing with a hand surgeon and trying to steroid shots (much to my dismay, but insurance requires them), it is looking like I will have to have at least a debridement done for my TFCC and the surrounding area.

On the MRI is showed a large amount of fluid in my DRUJ and a small tear in my central TFCC as well as an interstitial tear. Since the injury is so old, I am imagining some build up scar tissue and other gunk in the area. For a while, we were sure if it was way my 5th metatarsal joint becoming inflamed from an old break further up the bone or if it was the ligament. Pain is coming from both areas, but a lidocaine injection made my hand feel like a million dollars (for a few hours anyway!).

Its been a week since the final cortisone shot to determine if surgery was the route we need to take and there is little to no relief coming from it. There was even a cortisone flare that lasted 48 hours where the pain was intensified 10 fold! I moved my one month followup from June 13th to May 31st. I cannot deal with the constant pain anymore.

At least the shot helped determine that the ligament is where the pain is coming from?

I'm just getting stressed because this all decided to happen when my fiance is getting a disc replacement in his cervical spine and a possible 3 level fusion (will know later today) on his lumbar spine due to herniated discs.

Sometimes I just want to escape to a tropical island with my dogs...
Posted 5/24/2018 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Wow! Well, at least you have some answers. Prayers for a successful surgery and a strong speedy recovery...for both of you!

Just a side note...if it's your dominant hand, start practicing doing everything with your other. Not to be indelicate but, feminine hygiene needs are quite tricky with a non dominant hand.

Precut meats and veggies and keep in Ziploc bags or containers for easier meal prep.

Make sure you have enough 'pull on' clothes and shoes. Buttons, snaps and laces are practically impossible one handed.

I used to get a short hair cut before surgery for easier washing one handed and little 'styling'. You might want to check with your salon for extra washes. Having to bag the surgical site so it doesn't get wet is a job in itself!

Practice putting on deodorant, too! There is one on the market that is supposed to last for a few days from one application.

If you are casted (I've no idea if that is what will be) a little rubbing alcohol swabbed around the top of the cast can cut down on any odor that may develop. I was casted for 6 weeks beginning in August for cubital tunnel surgery and it was rough going!

If you don't already have a stand for your cell phone, I'd recommend getting one.
Posted 5/25/2018 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Quick update on my finaces surgery. He is just getting his cervical neck fixed right now because he wants to avoid a 3 level fusion. It turns out his spinal column is smaller than average so every little thing that bulges, he feels. I never even knew that was a thing. They wont know if it will be a fusion or disk replacement until they cut him open.

Surgery is tentatively planned for beginning of July.
Posted 5/25/2018 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
M, I hope your surgery goes well. Just do as the surgeon instructs you & you shouldn't have issues. The main thing is to be patient.

I am relieved to see that your fiance is cooling his jets with the proposed surgeries. I do not know of one person that has ever had both neck & back surgery done together, ever. I know that you all have the utmost faith in the dr, but to be honest I would question any surgeon that would ever suggest doing both at the same time. I have seen thousands of spine surgeries for close to 30 years & never has this happened. When multiple surgeries are required you have to be able to heal & recover from each one.

Take care.
Posted 5/25/2018 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
You and me both, straydog.

I am a little concerned that he wont be putting him into a collar after surgery. From what I am told, he is just going to have to be careful after for about 2 weeks. Is that even a thing?

I am not too worried about my hand/wrist. A similar thing happened with my right knee. I have hyper mobility in my joints so when something tears or get injured, surgery will be an eventual outcome because it stresses out everything around it. My joints are already a balancing act and tearing something throws everything out of place haha.
Posted 5/25/2018 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Motox, each surgeon has their own protocol about neck braces. Some use collars & some don't, its strictly up to the dr. about this 2 week thing, we have already covered that here before. I question this surgeon & your fiance's expectations. He is going to find that at the 2 week mark he is not going to be feeling all that great. His expectations are strongly hinting at a hard recovery & potential of not having a successful surgery in the long run of things. I am not trying to scare you by any means, but it is what is.
Posted 5/25/2018 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
I am well aware. But getting that across to him is another thing.

The Dr is requiring him to take at least 6 weeks off. I think the 2 weeks is until he can actually start to do things other than sit straight up and down.

I wish I would have been able to go to the pre-op appointment with him.
Posted 5/26/2018 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
motox, get a "cast protector" for your hand. I was given one but you can't count on it. Maybe call surgeon's office and ask. If they don't give you one order it yourself.

A hand/arm cast protector looks like a huge mitten made of clear plastic. You just slip it on over the bandage and it really keeps water out! You can even use your hand quite a lot. It doesn't need to be taped on unlike the old plastic bags we used to use. It has a stretchy hole in the arm end that stretches right over the wrappings and shrinks back onto your arm at or above your elbow. One is enough because they are fairly strong. I don't think they'd be good for a bathtub or swimming though.
Posted 5/28/2018 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Alcie! Ill keep that in mind!
Posted 5/31/2018 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Motox, I just happened to think about a website that is great for issues dealing with the spine. Check out SpineUniverse.com. You should be able to find excellent information there about artificial discs surgery.
Posted 5/31/2018 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
I moved my followup from June 13th to this afternoon. I did this about a week ago. This morning I got a call from my doctors asking why I didnt wait the 4-6 weeks like the doctor recommended. I think she could tell I was a little bit irritated with the call because she kept repeating that I can still keep my appointment.

Since the last cortisone shot and the flare up lasting about 2-3 days, the pain never back down to where it was beforehand.

Also some other news, my primary thinks I might have a hypermobility disorder. Either hypermobile Ehlers Danlos or Hypermobile Spectrum Disorder. It sure would explain why I have had issues with my ligaments and nothing wanting to stay in place. At 21 I have already had 2 knee surgeries to fix frequent dislocations of the kneecap and a few other things regarding ligament and my body not wanting to keep everything in place like it should.
Posted 6/4/2018 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
Surgery is set for June 12th. Pretty quick, but I am ok with that.
Posted 6/6/2018 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Motox:
I will be thinking of you on June 12 and sending positive karma for your healing and recovery.

Ethlers Danlos hypermotility syndrome is certainly worth exploring with your physician so that you can adopt preventative measures to preserve joint function in the future. This syndrome also presents with other systemic symptoms, such as low blood pressure/postural hypotension. There are support forums specific to Ethlers Danlos that might be of benefit to you in connecting with others in a common community.

Best wishes for a success wrist surgery.
Karen
Posted 6/6/2018 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
I deal with low blood pressure and will sometimes pass out if I stand up too quickly. My fingers and toes/legs also go numb/tingly when I have my knees or elbows bent for too long. I think it is something that should be looked into and would help explain a lot of chronic issues that I have.
Posted 6/7/2018 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Motox, I hope your surgery is a success & brings you the relief you are needing! Deal with your health issues one at a time & hang in there. Karen has given you some great information.

Take care.
Posted 6/17/2018 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Just about a week post op. Surgery went very well. The tear in my ligament was larger than what the MRI showed. I am in a forearm splint until next Monday, but dealing pretty well. The stitches are becoming incredibly itchy. I am supposed to be no weight bearing, but it is hard to follow that 100% because it is my dominant hand/wrist that was operated on. I am only having to take pain medications at night when I start calming down for the day because of all the activity from the day.

But I am back at work today. Thankfully it is just a reception job and doesn't require heavy use of my wrist.
Posted 6/17/2018 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
I do have one small question. The medicine that I was prescribed to take for pain is oxycodone immediate release. With my other surgeries, it was always the oxy/acetaminophen pain meds.

The doctor recommended taking Tylenol with the meds to make it last longer. So why not just give me those pills instead? It doesn't make a difference, but was just something I was curious about.
Posted 6/17/2018 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Glad things went well for you with the surgery..

I think if you had asked for the combination med, he would have written it that way..

We have to really work with them on communications , they see so many patients

Lj
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