Newbie

villier
villier Member Posts: 4,426
edited 22. Sep 2012, 05:48 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi

Just joined this forum I have to get a finger fusion on the dip joint on my index finger has anyone had this procedure done and what it entails will I be able to drive after the op? thanks in advance
Smile a while and while you smile
smile another smile and soon there
will be miles and miles of smiles
just because you smiled I wish your
day is full of Smiles

Comments

  • Numptydumpty
    Numptydumpty Member Posts: 6,417
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Villier, and welcome to the forum.
    I have recently had a wrist fusion. I am in a plaster cast from just below my elbow to my knuckles, (and will be for two months), so obviously driving isn't an option for me. I have no experience of finger fusion, so I'm afraid I'm no help to you really. Could you speak to your consultant? I'm sure someone will be along soon who can help.
    All the best,
    Numpty
  • villier
    villier Member Posts: 4,426
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Thanks Numpty sorry to hear about your wrist hope you are not in to much pain......villier
    Smile a while and while you smile
    smile another smile and soon there
    will be miles and miles of smiles
    just because you smiled I wish your
    day is full of Smiles
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi villier
    Sorry I cant offer any advice, but I just want to add my support and welcome you to the forum.
    Hopefully someone will be along very soon, only saying that it can be quiet on the weekends.
    You take care x
    Love
    Barbara
  • villier
    villier Member Posts: 4,426
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    barbara12 wrote:
    Hi villier
    Sorry I cant offer any advice, but I just want to add my support and welcome you to the forum.
    Hopefully someone will be along very soon, only saying that it can be quiet on the weekends.
    You take care x


    Thanks Barbara appreciate your reply.........tc..........Marie xx
    Smile a while and while you smile
    smile another smile and soon there
    will be miles and miles of smiles
    just because you smiled I wish your
    day is full of Smiles
  • Soretoe2
    Soretoe2 Member Posts: 198
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi villier, i've not had fingers done yet but have had two thumb fusions and may have a couple of fingers done next year.
    For both of them I was in an open cast up to my elbow for about 10 days and then went into a plaster cast for a month. After that I was fitted with a small plastic cast that just covered my thumb until the bone had healed properly. This is removeable for careful washing.
    I am not able to drive due to my disabilities but I would not have been able to when the two casts were on. I would imagine you could with the small plastic one though.
    I'm not sure if fingers are treated in a different way to thumbs, you may find that you will not have the big cast on.
    I found the first couple of days quite painful but after that it was fine. The occasional stab out of the blue and a bit of aching. This is the bone mending.
    It is more the awkwardness of it all that is the problem rather than the pain. It's surprising how difficult doing some ordinary things becomes.
    I would do what Numpty has mentioned and have a word with the surgeon.
    The only other thing I can suggest is you google it.
    I googled thumb fusion operation and came up with a rather gruesome blog complete with pictures that was very informative, so I knew what was coming. Luckily I'm not a wuss and still went ahead with it.
    Hope this helps a bit, hopefully someone will come along whose had the finger job!
  • villier
    villier Member Posts: 4,426
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Soretoe2 wrote:
    Hi villier, i've not had fingers done yet but have had two thumb fusions and may have a couple of fingers done next year.
    For both of them I was in an open cast up to my elbow for about 10 days and then went into a plaster cast for a month. After that I was fitted with a small plastic cast that just covered my thumb until the bone had healed properly. This is removeable for careful washing.
    I am not able to drive due to my disabilities but I would not have been able to when the two casts were on. I would imagine you could with the small plastic one though.
    I'm not sure if fingers are treated in a different way to thumbs, you may find that you will not have the big cast on.
    I found the first couple of days quite painful but after that it was fine. The occasional stab out of the blue and a bit of aching. This is the bone mending.
    It is more the awkwardness of it all that is the problem rather than the pain. It's surprising how difficult doing some ordinary things becomes.
    I would do what Numpty has mentioned and have a word with the surgeon.
    The only other thing I can suggest is you google it.
    I googled thumb fusion operation and came up with a rather gruesome blog complete with pictures that was very informative, so I knew what was coming. Luckily I'm not a wuss and still went ahead with it.
    Hope this helps a bit, hopefully someone will come along whose had the finger job!

    Hi soretoe2 thanks for your reply, the surgeon mentioned something about a splint for 6-8 weeks at that moment I wasn't really taking much in as to what she was saying being gobsmacked that I was having to get this done, I need to drive as I don't have any family near me, I also have a neurological condition and need to get to hospital every couple of weeks for treatment, I have actually seen a video on youtube of a finger operation(hasn't put me of) but doesn't say much to what happens afterwards, thanks again.....tc...........Marie
    Smile a while and while you smile
    smile another smile and soon there
    will be miles and miles of smiles
    just because you smiled I wish your
    day is full of Smiles
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello villier. Sorry, I can't help at all but just wanted to say welcome to the forum from me too.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Not sure if this will help, Villier but it will not take long to view:

    http://www.eorthopod.com/content/finger-fusion-surgery

    There is a section on post surgery and /rehab but no specific mention of driving.

    Here is another website:
    http://handtoelbow.com/finger-dipj-arthritis/

    Here it states after 2 - 3 weeks you can probably drive again. I read this elsewhere too but best discuss this with the surgeon.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • villier
    villier Member Posts: 4,426
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello villier. Sorry, I can't help at all but just wanted to say welcome to the forum from me too.


    Thanks Sticky for the welcome.......tc.........Marie x
    Smile a while and while you smile
    smile another smile and soon there
    will be miles and miles of smiles
    just because you smiled I wish your
    day is full of Smiles
  • villier
    villier Member Posts: 4,426
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    elnafinn wrote:
    Not sure if this will help, Villier but it will not take long to view:

    http://www.eorthopod.com/content/finger-fusion-surgery

    There is a section on post surgery and /rehab but no specific mention of driving.

    Here is another website:
    http://handtoelbow.com/finger-dipj-arthritis/

    Here it states after 2 - 3 weeks you can probably drive again. I read this elsewhere too but best discuss this with the surgeon.

    Elna x

    Thanks Elna looks like I will have to phone the surgeon some sites say you will have a plaster cast but my surgeon mentioned splints.......tc....Marie x
    Smile a while and while you smile
    smile another smile and soon there
    will be miles and miles of smiles
    just because you smiled I wish your
    day is full of Smiles
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,180
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Marie

    No experience, but just wanted to welcome you to the forums from me :)

    I hope you will decide to stay and join us - we are a pretty nice bunch and very supportive

    Love

    Toni xx
  • villier
    villier Member Posts: 4,426
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    frogmorton wrote:
    Hi Marie

    No experience, but just wanted to welcome you to the forums from me :)

    I hope you will decide to stay and join us - we are a pretty nice bunch and very supportive

    Love

    Toni xx

    Awe thanks Toni great to know, have been feeling pretty crap past couple of days this was the straw that broke the camels back so to speak, to be honest the arthritis pain I can just about cope with it's the neurological pain on top of it I am struggling with thanks for your lovely welcome.........tc............Marie x
    Smile a while and while you smile
    smile another smile and soon there
    will be miles and miles of smiles
    just because you smiled I wish your
    day is full of Smiles