Diagnosed yesterday with OA of pisiform bone-in shock!

Minkymaid

Hi everyone,
After 9 months of pain, not being able to work and not knowing what was the cause I was told yesterday I have OA in the pisiform bone in both wrists. Both consultant and radiologist said this is v uncommon - so I wondered if there are any other (relatively) young (mid 40s) folk out there who have experience of this and living with this. All other bones seem fine.

Also, I'm properly 'send me to A&E' allergic to NSAIDs, is there anyone else out there who manages pain / inflammation without them? Just curious.
Thanks all!

knuckleduster

Hello Minkymaid.

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear about your wrists. Without looking it up, I don't know where the pisiform bone is in the wrist so I had better do some homework. I developed OA in both wrists in my early 40's and just blamed it on developing carpel tunnel after my son was born. Obviously you need advice as to what is best for you, but for me when my wrists are painful I find an elasticated support very helpful and over the years I found out what positions make the OA worse and I change activities - for instance not too much cleaning in one go. It's a shame you are allergic to NSAIDs, ask your pharmacist if there is anything you could rub in which maybe of help. Or perhaps an ice pack could reduce the inflammation. If in doubt or if you need more help, always go back to your doctor. Keep the forum posted as to how you get on.

Janet x

tillytop

Hello Minkymaid and welcome from me too!

I have just "lost" my original reply so will try again. Grrrrr!

I am sorry about your diagnosis but I am pleased that you know, at last, what is causing your wrist pain. Has the doc given you any idea whether there is something which can be done to help you?

Like Knuckleduster, I didn't know where this bone was either so I googled it to find out. I have RA, rather than OA, but I too have wrist problems so I understand some of the difficulties that can cause. If it has not been mentioned to you, it might be worth asking for a referral to an occupational therapist for advice on how to manage your daily tasks in spite of the wrist problems. They might also be able to provide you with wrist splints - I have splints to wear when necessary and I find they really do help. Although you can buy splints over the counter, I wouldn't recommend that because you may end up causing further damage if they are not suitable for you. Like Knuckleduster, I also use tubigrip type supports - both under my splints and, when splints are not needed, on its own.

I am sorry you are not able to take NSAIDs but your doctor should be able to prescribe something to help with the pain. As Knuckleduster said, perhaps anti-inflamm gels might be an option for you, but given your serious allergy to NSAIDs, that is obviously a question for your GP. My GP prescribes Piroxicam gel for me and I find that does help me.

Tillyxxx

barbara12

Hi Minkymaid
Sorry I cant offer any help, but I just want to welcome you to the forum, I do wear a wrist splint, but I am in my 60s,
Hope you get lots of answers very soon x

Minkymaid

Thank you for the welcomes and the kind responses. At the moment writing, driving and more than a minute or two of tablet pc typing are too difficult for me. I'm wondering if these particularly involve this tiny bone. And yes - I had to look it up too! I guess right now I'm having to learn quickly, which is why I wanted to join the forum.

This is a bolt out of the blue... 9 months ago I was booking my next snowboarding holiday, and within a weekend was unable to use a knife and fork, so it's also about adjusting to a new sort of me. I've already discovered I object to the disability word/concept.Is that a common response?

The final option is to have the bone taken out in each wrist. Right now that sounds great. Don't know if others have experience of this.
I do have some wrist supports given to me when this first started, I'll check out if they are appropriate now I have a diagnosis - thanks for the idea.

julie47

Hello Minkymaid

welcome to the forum from me too

I have just read that you are having trouble typing on your tablet/PC.
I also have trouble typing due to neck and hand problems and have just invested in a voice recognition program. I must say that I do have a few teething problems with it but have found that it is much better for me.
Perhaps this is something you could think of buying in the future.

( moderators I hope this isn't a form of advertising and do apologise if I am in the wrong )

Minkymaid I hope you get the treatment you need soon to help relieve the terrible pain.

love juliepf x

Minkymaid

Found this medical/science paper on OA of the pisiform bone, which I give a link here for anyone in the future who turns up this uncommon form.

http://www.bjj.boneandjoint.org.uk/content/33-B/4/532.full.pdf

You'll see it's an old paper on the removal of the pisiform bone as the treatment. Looking more recently at the USA it seems this surgery is done, though obviously not often, and with good results. It sounds promising tbh.

If I turn up more ill keep you posted - it might be useful for someone else one day.

Numptydumpty

Hi Minkymaid,
I just wanted to say welcome to the forum.
I can't really offer any advice. I have RA, my wrists are quite bad, so I can understand your problems. I find splinting useful. I'm at present on the waiting list for a wrist fusion.
I wish you well,
Numpty

Chibi

Hi Minkymaid,
I have also just been diagnosised with pisiform triquetral joint arthritis. I have had several shots and nothing is working. The next step is removal of the pisiform bone. Dud you have this done yet and what were your results.?