Wrist fusion

sheilb

Hi, I'm new to this website and forum and hope I know what I'm talking about!

I've just had an MRI scan to confirm how much arthritis I have in my wrist and am probably going to have to have a full wrist fusion op. My consultant didn't give me any information when I saw him a few weeks ago, I had to look it all up on the internet, so I just need some information - how long the operation is, recovery time afterwards, physio (?), just anything anyone can give me. I am hoping to see my consultant again in the next few weeks and will go armed with questions and I'm assuming he'll answer them. But I need peace of mind now. Not asking for much am I?

Thanks everyone.

lindalegs

Hi Sheilb and welcome to the forum,

I can't answer your questions as my wrists fused themselves :shock: I would think that someone will come along soon and give you some answers.

Luv Legs

sheilb

lindalegs wrote:

Hi Sheilb and welcome to the forum,

I can't answer your questions as my wrists fused themselves :shock: I would think that someone will come along soon and give you some answers.

Luv Legs

Thanks Lindalegs, I'm hoping someone will... How much movement do you have in your wrists?

speedalong

Hi Sheilb,

welcome to the forum. Sorry I can't answer your questions but I'm sure others will. All I know is that Iris has had one (she is busy packing - I hope!) for another op tomorrow on her other wrist ... so she might not have time to reply. She says it really helped with the pain and she adapted ingenuiously to the fusion.

Speedy

sheilb

speedalong wrote:

Hi Sheilb,

welcome to the forum. Sorry I can't answer your questions but I'm sure others will. All I know is that Iris has had one (she is busy packing - I hope!) for another op tomorrow on her other wrist ... so she might not have time to reply. She says it really helped with the pain and she adapted ingenuiously to the fusion.

Speedy

Thanks for your welcome, Speedy. I hope Iris's op goes well and hope to hear from someone who's had it done soon.

hileena111

Hi Sheilb
Welcome to the forum and thats all I can say....sorry no help but no doubt if you hang on for long enough someone will be able to help....at least you know we aren't ignoring you even if we cant help

Love
Hileena

dorcas

Hi sheila b and welcome to the forum from me too.

I had a left wrist fusion last year and would definitely recommend having it! Makes a huge difference to pain and gives you a strong (though immobile) wrist.
You will notice that some things are a bit more challenging...trying to pick up small objects, reaching behind your back, some personal care tasks (you will adapt to that though honest!) opening some door handles.

The op took one and half hours and I was in hospital for 3 days post op. I was in a half plaster for a week...then stitches removed and a full plaster put on for 8weeks.

Once you get the cast off you'll likely.... at the next appointment.... be assessed and may be referred then for physio for advice and exercises to strengthen the hand (if needed). not all hospitals believe in the need for physio for fusions as the fused wrist itself doesn't benefit from physio.

After a few physios I was referred on to a specialist hand therapist (they are much more knowledgeable about hands!!!) and attended for five months....but that was because I have other problems with arther in that hand and fingers and not simply because of the fusion.

Wrist fusion is definitely an op worth having....believe me you will notice a huge difference and will soon adapt to the 'new' wrist.

I'm off to hospital tomorrow for a total wrist replacement of the other hand so won't be around for a while but will catch up with you when I'm back.

hope the info has helped meantime. Definitely you go for it girl!!

Iris x

sheilb

hileena111 wrote:

Hi Sheilb
Welcome to the forum and thats all I can say....sorry no help but no doubt if you hang on for long enough someone will be able to help....at least you know we aren't ignoring you even if we cant help

Love
Hileena

Hello, Hileena

It's just good to know there are people out there who will chat. Thanks very much.

hileena111

Hi Sheilab
Told you someone would come along withthe info LOL

Love
Hileena

sheilb

dorcas wrote:

Hi sheila b and welcome to the forum from me too.

I had a left wrist fusion last year and would definitely recommend having it! Makes a huge difference to pain and gives you a strong (though immobile) wrist.
You will notice that some things are a bit more challenging...trying to pick up small objects, reaching behind your back, some personal care tasks (you will adapt to that though honest!) opening some door handles.

The op took one and half hours and I was in hospital for 3 days post op. I was in a half plaster for a week...then stitches removed and a full plaster put on for 8weeks.

Once you get the cast off you'll likely.... at the next appointment.... be assessed and may be referred then for physio for advice and exercises to strengthen the hand (if needed). not all hospitals believe in the need for physio for fusions as the fused wrist itself doesn't benefit from physio.

After a few physios I was referred on to a specialist hand therapist (they are much more knowledgeable about hands!!!) and attended for five months....but that was because I have other problems with arther in that hand and fingers and not simply because of the fusion.

Wrist fusion is definitely an op worth having....believe me you will notice a huge difference and will soon adapt to the 'new' wrist.

I'm off to hospital tomorrow for a total wrist replacement of the other hand so won't be around for a while but will catch up with you when I'm back.

hope the info has helped meantime. Definitely you go for it girl!!

Iris x

Hi, Iris

Good luck with your op tomorrow, hope it goes as well as the other one. Thanks for your info, it's given me something to think about. Did you have a total wrist fusion on your left wrist or just partial? How much movement do you have in your wrist or has it all gone? Were you working when you had your left one done? Sorry, all these questions....

I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.
Take care
Sheil x

sheilb

hileena111 wrote:

Hi Sheilab
Told you someone would come along withthe info LOL

Love
Hileena

Ha! And I'm sure there are more out there. Lol.

dorcas

Hi sheil!

I had a total wrist fusion of the left wrist.....is that what they are suggesting for you too?
Partial wrist fusions are less stable and ultimately lead to full fusion....so why go through surgery twice?

I have absolutely no movement in the wrist itself...it's as though the radius has just extended right down into the hand. It makes for a very strong joint.

I was working full time up to the date of the op. The surgeon advised I'd be off work for a minimum of four months...as it turned out I was off for 7months and even then was advised I shouldn't be working! (long story told elsewhere)

My advice? be prepared to be off for several months and let your employer know well in advance so they know what to expect.
It takes a full year for the fusion to be fully 'fused'..if you know what I mean.

thanks for your good wishes for tomorrow!

btw I've not met anyone else on the forum who's had a wrist fusion but may be some of the newer members have and will also reply to your post. If not we'll be in a rather exclusive club of two!!!

feel free to ask any questions you have....I know what it's like to want info and am happy to help!!

Iris x

Wonkylegs

all the best for tomorrow

hugs
WOnky xxx

dorcas

Wonkylegs wrote:

all the best for tomorrow

hugs
WOnky xxx

thanks wonky!! xx hugs are now in my bag for tomorrow,

Iris x

speedalong

thanks wonky!! xx hugs are now in my bag for tomorrow,

That's a good start, but don't forget to pack a few nighties too!!! :roll:

Speedy

lindalegs

sheilb wrote:

Thanks Lindalegs, I'm hoping someone will... How much movement do you have in your wrists?

Hi again,

I have no movement whatsoever but they have set in a useable position fortunately. The advantage of having the op to fuse them is that your surgeon will put them in the most functionable position for maximum use. Mine do droop slightly

Glad Iris came along, she's our present expert on wrists at the mo - although that said I wouldn't wish to exclude any other advice that's waiting in the wings.

Luv Legs