Splint again

mig

Went back today to see how they thought the new splint was doing and was told there's nothing they can really do apart from send me to ortho to see about joint replacement,my rheumy thought it was too soon the ot said why wait till I can no longer get much use out of the hand ,will wait and see what rheumy says in November.Anyway was told to try and wear it all day ,I now have I black one to wear through the night . Mig

tjt6768

I hope whatever happens that things go alright for you hun.

Slosh

Very confusing when different professionals have such differering opinions, and when you don't have the option to say what you would prefer. Hope it's not too uncomfortable in this hot weather if you have to wear it all day.

dreamdaisy

Your rheumatologist is not living with your hands and the day-to-day impact of a rubbish joint, yes? I agree with the OT, surely the sooner you can get the new joint the better because, hopefully, other joints won't follow. I know a lady who has had two new thumb joints (plus one new knee) and her life has changed so much for the better (mind you, she has OA alone). Ask for that referral, young Mig, and soon. DD

Boomer13

(((()))), hand and wrist pain is awful. I have a garbage left wrist and wear splint constantly (well, try to). Mostly it's ok but in the heat, I've been waking up and my splints are on the floor, across the room. Don't remember doing that.

I'm with DD, I'd ask for referral.

stickywicket

I'm a bit confused, mig. You went to the orthotist 'to see how the splint was doing'. Who was supposed to tell who this? I'd have thought you were the expert as to whether or not it's helping, just as you knew the previous one was too tight. For my money, if you're happy with it – good. If not, do you need more alterations?

I'd put far more store by what the rheumatologist says than the orthotist. Orthotists aren't docs. Mind you, it's worth asking the rheumatologist why he or she would wait. Hand surgery has improved a great deal since the days when it might have been of use to me but it's still a bit behind hips and knees. Hands are complicated things and, as DD says, if you have the odd duff OA joint that's one thing whereas if the whole hand is affected by an auto-immune arthritis that's another matter.

mig

Sorry maybe i didn't make it clear the app was to just a follow up to make sure I was coping with the splint and to get a night splint which she had to order .I am going to wait till november when I see the rheumy and ask for a referral then,I see the pros and cons of both sides of the argument ,will admit to you guys on here that the thought of an op scares the bejesus out of me.So managed the first night with splint on with no problems but then again didn't need to go to the loo :shock: Mig

stickywicket

Well done on your first night of three in a bed I used to nearly knock Mr SW out when I turned over in my huge old plaster ones

barbara12

Good luck with it Mig..I hope it helps the joints be less painful..xx

villier

Good luck with the new splint mig lets hope it helps and you don't have to wear the daytime one so much. xx

Boomer13

Mine took a very long time to help, Mig, and they prevent me from doing much, which likely has helped the pain settle down too. Now I can even do a few things with them off without the pain worsening. My affected joint in the wrist is still deteriorating. I hadn't expected the splint to help that, but it may help the joint fuse eventually.

xxAnna