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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> Ultimate Orthopedic Bad News (for me...)
        
(Message started by: Lizzie2 on Jan 23^rd, 2006, 9:49pm)

Title: Ultimate Orthopedic Bad News (for me...)
Post by Lizzie2 on Jan 23^rd, 2006, 9:49pm

Well I know I've been posting updates from time to time about the fact that I had to have a wrist arthrogram and MRI done recently and also about having ended up in the ER because of my back over New Year's. The MRI of my back is okay, and I'm starting physical therapy next week.

However, my wrist... I forget if I posted this or not, but the report showed I tore some cartilage and ligaments in my wrist. I went to my orthopedic for follow up today, and he has referred me to a hand surgeon for a second opinion, but he feels I'm going to need surgery on my wrist to repair the damage... I'm a pianist....I actually went so far as to get a degree in piano.....I canNOT have surgery on my wrist. I'll never play the same way again...... :'(

So for now, he put a brace on it, but I can't wear the brace at work. And even if I do have to have surgery, I don't qualify for short term disability yet, so I'd have to miss work without pay. I don't have any sick time built up currently because of missing work over New Year's.

My orthopedic says he has no idea how this injury even happened. If you're going to tear the extrinsic ligaments in the hand, you usually tear the back of the wrist, whereas I tore the inner aspect. Also, I never had an actual injury that I can recall, and I'm too young to suffer from wear and tear - not to mention that this particular ligament once again wouldn't have been the one to tear. His theory is that I possibly have some type of blood flow problem - and not that I lack blood flow, but that possibly the neurologic control of the vascular supply is somehow not working properly and things that should heal normally are not healing. He feels this would explain the intractible migraine, avascular necrosis, repeated injuries that occur without any actual injury.... but how we'll ever know for sure, I dont' know.

So on Monday I'm going to a hand surgeon for the second opinion. I really hope I don't have to have surgery. Of the 3 surgeries I had last year for various things, I feel that I only ever got worse after them - so I'm feeling right now that surgery doesn't actually fix anything. I'm worried I'd lose functioning, gain excruciating pain, and get arthritis in the wrist sooner.

But most of all...piano.... :'(

Anyways sorry to ramble on...and thanks for "listening" to me rant.

Hugz,
Carrie

Title: Re: Ultimate Orthopedic Bad News (for me...)
Post by Annette_Emond on Jan 23^rd, 2006, 10:00pm

One of these days, Carrie, you are going to catch a break! Hang in there.
Annette

Title: Re: Ultimate Orthopedic Bad News (for me...)
Post by cootie on Jan 23^rd, 2006, 10:13pm

What happend' with your back Lizzie.....I must of missed that part. Mine is screw'd.......but anyhow......EXCESS wear and tear is my problem with alot of things goin on now....painful things. But I always had an idea hanging onto a 1200 lb animal with one hand for hours for YEARS and gettin drug, stepped on, smashed, trampled, kicked bit and bucked off was SUMDAY gonna hurt. Now I keep DROPPING things......big things, small things.....don't matter. Dropped a pitcher FULL of about a gallon of water today and didn't even know I let go. Been doin alot of that....been droppin my fork and spoon too and lookin like a wierdo at dinner doin it......dunno it is even gonna happen. So.....careful what ya decided to do with the wrist.....cuz I know of cases where surgery made things alot worse for life. Dealin a dealt hand Pam

Good luck with the hand surgeon....I suspect as with most surgeons surgery wil be sudgested......just like specialists have special prices.

Title: Re: Ultimate Orthopedic Bad News (for me...)
Post by writer on Jan 23^rd, 2006, 10:32pm

I would postpone surgery as long as possible, and maybe, if you can, forever. Obviously I'm not a physician, but I just have a feeling that waiting the wrist out, at least for a while, is best.

Whatever you do, I hope things improve soon--

Best, Barbara

Title: Re: Ultimate Orthopedic Bad News (for me...)
Post by Opus on Jan 24^th, 2006, 1:12am

(((((Carrie))))),

Can you where a thin ace bandage for now, they make them out of rubbery stuff so you can get it wet, that is if the glove will fit.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Ultimate Orthopedic Bad News (for me...)
Post by LeLimey on Jan 24^th, 2006, 1:41am

Carrie let me know your schedule for this coming weekend and I'll ring you and we can have a good old bitch and whine together! ;;D

In the meantime, REST THAT BLOODY WRIST!!

Title: Re: Ultimate Orthopedic Bad News (for me...)
Post by sandie99 on Jan 24^th, 2006, 2:14am

Carrie..... [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif]

I do hope that your wrist will not need a surgery...I do recall how important playing piano is for you. Lots of prayers and vibes are on their way to you. :)

Best wishes,
Sanna

Title: Re: Ultimate Orthopedic Bad News (for me...)
Post by DonnaHar on Jan 24^th, 2006, 4:43am

Carrie....try to find other people, possily at work, who have had this done.

I, just two weeks ago, found a young man about 25 who has a similar back problem as I. His injury was from lifting weights. He has two bulging discs. He first had a lamenectomy which didn't work. He had the same series of steriod epidurals as I and that didn't work for either of us. Last, he had the rod and fusion and even now he is out of work yet and in terrible pain.

My episodes with the three bulging discs and spinal stenosis last almost exactly 12 weeks and subside. This has happened at least four times within the last eight years. Last week I read a medical article which described my symptoms exactly.....even the sciatica pain down the left leg and ankle........and it said that this type of flare up occures regularly and lasts approximately 12 weeks. What a surprise that was.

Maybe yours will follow a path like that. I'd give up 12 weeks every year or two to keep playing the piano. Check it out..........praying for you.

Donna

Title: Re: Ultimate Orthopedic Bad News (for me...)
Post by JenniferD on Jan 24^th, 2006, 7:50am

so sorry you're dealing with this :(

I agree with postponing surgery if you can. What about using the ace bandage during the day, and an immobilizing brace at night? Long ago, a dr. gave me hard metal braces for my wrists cuz of carpal tunnel, which I wore at night. It really did help. If you need one, I can send it to you.

Title: Re: Ultimate Orthopedic Bad News (for me...)
Post by Charlie on Jan 24^th, 2006, 10:56am

Keep gong for second, third, forth and so on opinions. First, just doing stuff like this sometimes has beneficial effects but don't tell anybody I said this.

You're young, take advantage of this and be very very wary of MDs and their zeal to cut. They are evil here.

Hold on kid. Give yourself more time than you think you should take.
Charlie http://www.schildersmilies.de/schilder/paranoia.gif?SSImageQuality=Full