TWR (Wally) @ 12 weeks

dorcas

Hi peeps.

I had my 12 week assessment at ortho yesterday.

I saw the ortho registrar whom I do know quite well as my surgeon was off ill (they get sick too!!!) He was very pleased with Wally wrist who now gets 30 degrees of movement and possibly may even get more. he said it was a great achievement given the 'blip' with the wound infection. He said wally wrist is still a bit hot and CRP is too high but he's happy to let rheummy day ward keep an eye. He said we're only half way through the rehabilitation at this stage and over all he's happy if I'm happy... which I told him I was.

He asked me to try two 'new' movements, one was putting the hands together in a 'praying' position...the second putting the arms forward and then the hands back to back and then bring them up towards my face which (in 'normal folks') causes both wrists to bend. I couldn't do either, mainly because the left wrist is fused so can't bend, and wally just couldn't do it.....yet.
he then laughingly said that he probably shouldn't have asked me to try that.....funny man!!!

He then examined both hands and noticed the index finger on wally hand isn't straightening at the tip (Mandy therapist had also mentioned that to me a couple of weeks ago) . He did some tests on both the end and middle joints (Dip and Pip) and said it's the start of 'swan neck deformity' and may need surgery (fusion)...... the middle finger of the left hand has this too.

The left fused hand is needing more surgery anyway...the ulna head has to be removed and the middle joint of the left index finger needs replacing. (knew that)

So I'm back in three months instead of six and they'll do more xrays on both hands and talk about what's being done next.
So poor old wally got a bit overshadowed by these other upstart joints.

I'm so pleased with wally wrist... no pain, rarely aches and is quite functional with the 30 degrees of movement. Most of the time I forget I've had the op but am careful not to put too much stress on it yet and only very light lifting. the wrist looks great...fits beautifully with my hand/ arm and apart from a 4ins scar you wouldn't know I'd had surgery.

I've waffled on a bit as usual :oops: but I know other peeps are considering this surgery and just want to give a clear picture.
thanks everyone for all the support these three months....made a huge difference to me to have your messages and encouragement.

Iris x

dreamdaisy

Well, it's all sounding pretty good! Three cheers for you and your surgeon and the staff who have taken such good care of you. Does this mean I can scrounge more dandelion leaves from your pile? You obviously don't need so many now! DD

PS Was it Gorgeous Doctor you saw?

dorcas

Hi damsel

It is good to have you back.... and on top form.

...it wasn't 'gorgeous doc' but this reg was still lovely...his eyes are a different colour which is fascinating.

Will wheelbarrow the dandies over to your pad. Got a shovel I can borrow?

Iris x

julie47

morning iris

glad your assesment went well and that wally performed well for you.

You sound so pleased and quite right too

Don't do too many cartwheels now!

love juliepf xx

dorcas

Ha Ha! PF,

cartwheels :?: I've never been able to do a handstand never mind cartwheels.

but I am very happy with the TWR...that's for sure.

hope your wound is healing??

Iris xx

frogmorton

Hi Iris

And Wally of course

I am totally impressed with how well Wally is doing Iris - amazing and only halfway through the recovery process?!

Not so impressed with what other bits and peices are trying to do behind your back :x :x Might just stamp my feet here

Three months reveiw given all that is fair enough I suppose...

Love and hugs

Toni xx

speedalong

Hi Iris, glad you have posted news of Wally (and your goodself of course!) as I was wondering how things were going. 30% sounds good and better than they thought ... sounds like Wally needs the full 6 months before anyone can guess at his full potential. Though with the fused wrist for lifting and Wally for more fiddly tasks it sounds a good balance. As for the other joints ... typical ...

Speedy

Wonkylegs

Hi Iris

it's great news that Wally is doing so well, though not so good that other joints are trying to get into the party before their time

hope you continue to improve

hugs
WOnky

skezier

Hi Iris,

I am so proud of you! You have smashed their prognoses to smithereens! Well done and its good they are keeping an eye on it while your levels are too high.

Its been a privilege to share this with you and has given so much hope for those of us with iffy wrists I think. Sending more guinea mix, you have to eat some of it you know with dandelions and got you some special chickweed that has built in bone drafts and have found a very rare bit of lettuce which got some lover you CRP levels! ((((( ))))) and a coupe of smakos for the loons Cris xxx

marion1952

Hi Iris

I'm only just catching up with today's posts...

That's really great news about Wally...

Sorry to hear about your other fingers though.. I hope your Hand Surgeon will be able to do something about them...

Marion x

annie_mial

Iris, so glad to hear of the positive progress. Shame the others are getting in on the act, but it seems you were aware that more work needed doing..............

I've followed all this with great attention although I've mostly been too dumbstruck to post.......it's unlikely to be anything I will need, but knowledge is power!

Annie

ironic

Hi Iris,
Wonderful news mixed with some disappointment with CPR results.
Expected in one way by not being able to have the MTX for so long.
Wish you did not have to have more surgery on your poor hands though :roll:

Thank you so much for the update. Will be thinking of you tomorrow and on the 7th.

Love and hugs.
Ix

barbara12

Iris you are amazing, the progress you have made is all down to your hard work, I am so glad that everything is going to plan, and better.
You take care of yourself and Wally
Lots of love and hugs ((((()))))
Barbara xx

lindalegs

Well Iris you're being a very good guinea pig and keeping us very well informed. It's so interesting to follow Wally's progress although I'm sure it's a bit of a trial to you knowing that you have further hand surgery coming up. :roll:

It's obviously taken alot of perseverence with your exercises to manage to get a 30 deg bend so good on ya gal.

Long may it continue to improve.

Luv Legs