My Trapeziectomy updates !

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Scampdog
Scampdog Member Posts: 43
edited 26. Oct 2016, 13:15 in Living with Arthritis archive
well here we are just over four weeks on, went back to the hospital yesterday for the next stage !, which included washing my hand for the first time since the op ! absolute bliss but the bits that came off URGHHHH....wounds have healed really well but my poor thumb joint is badly affected by rubbing and is really numb and sore, so bad in fact that it will not bend which is a worry !, the fingers are stiff at the main knuckles which are still very swollen, so have now taken to massaging them as I can take the cast off...they have given me another hard plastic cast for night time and protection !, and a softer black one with metal in for going out , which looks neater.....the new formed hard plastic one does not hurt as much as the last one thank goodness...
my main worry in my thumb joint the constant rubbing has caused major problems so much so that the hospital wants to see me again next week !, on the bright side at least the wounds are OK I think its going to be a long road ahead.
Xx
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  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hello Scampdog
    And thankyou for the update..I am taking notes...what a shame the cast had effected things, did they not say if this is normal or not..hopefully when you go back next week you will have your questions ready...hope things move on for you very soon..and please keep us updated...
    Love
    Barbara
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,712
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Ah the first wash/bath/shower! They're always wonderful :D Good, too, that the wound has healed well. I'm pleased they're keeping an eye on the other bits, though. You need to know how much to do or not to do with them, don't you? Please keep us in the loop, scampdog.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Scampdog
    Scampdog Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    After a couple of days rubbing bathing I can finally get my fingers to a fully out stretched position ! I thought I could before Fridays hospital visit but now I really can, my poor little thumb however wiggles but still refuses to bend, the knuckle strange as it sounds has almost disappeared ?, just hard and sore skin remain where the cast rubbed so badly, I am madly rubbing in oils and creams to try and get some tenderness back.....the hard cast is so much better does not hurt very much at all apart from when my thumb catches.....since the first bathing the dry skin is so flakey coming off in bits and itchy !!!....whats the name of that song "things can only get better" ? think this will be my new motto from now on ! Xx :D
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,712
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Don't tempt fate :lol:
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Scampdog
    Scampdog Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Just had a letter from my Specialist who did the surgery, he sent the bone and tissue he removed away for examination and the results have shown I probably have Rheumatoid Arthritis ! never thought this !!! anyway he is referring to another specialist now, could this account for the pain and swelling ? I just don't know ?...what will this mean ?...guess I will have to wait and see :cry:
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,712
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Well, that came a bit out of the blue, didn't it :o

    He could have done you a favour but it won't seem like it right now. However, better to find out and be on the right meds than not to know and have the disease do its own thing.

    What will happen is probably that you'll be referred to a rheumatologist who'll do more tests, check your history of joint pain and any relevant family medical history. Probably blood tests and maybe x-rays. Then, if you 'pass', you'll be admitted to our not-very-exclusive autoimmuners club. I hope you don't qualify but.....

    Try reading up on it here https://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/what-is-arthritis/types-of-arthritis/65-rheumatoid-arthritis and ask away with any questions that arise.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Scampdog
    Scampdog Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Thanks Sticky ! but I am already in the club with another illness I have Pernicious Anaemia, have to get B12 jabs every four weeks as I suffer so badly !, maybe I will be a double member maybe not just have to wait and see now Xxx
  • Scampdog
    Scampdog Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Just got back from hospital, talked through "the letter" re RA ! I am not as worried as before now my mind is more at ease, however they really think I have it due to the stiffness and pain I am suffering "cest la vie" I suppose !.....had a lovely massage today I know I do it at home but to have a professional do it is bliss apart from when it hurts but whatever it takes !....next week we start work on the wrist that sounds like fun, at the moment it is stuck solid....OH to be more like Megose who seems to be strolling through this process ! :deckchair: .....Xx
  • Megrose2
    Megrose2 Member Posts: 331
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    I'm glad things went well at the hospital and you enjoyed the massage. I know what you mean about it being pleasurable. The Occupational Therapist I saw this week has the ability to put me into a pleasant trance! I put my hand onto a little table for her to examine and, while she was talking to me, she was stroking my hand all the time!

    I hope it goes well next week when they begin work on your wrist.

    Meg
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,712
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    As megrose says, maybe the 'possible RA' will have made things a bit more difficult for you and maybe, also, the pernicious anaemia. (I once heard someone refer to it, seriously, as her 'perishing anaemia :lol: '. The good thing is that they're onto it.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Scampdog
    Scampdog Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    OOH love that ! Perishing Anaemia !!!! brilliant it is all that and more flaming nuisance and the bane of my life "until now" LOL xXX
  • Scampdog
    Scampdog Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Here we go again ! scabs sorry for being descriptive have finally come off the wound on my thumb to reveal more ....stitches !!! am so annoyed and upset six weeks on so will need to have them really dug out !, going to phone the hospital tomorrow to find out what to do ? :|
  • Megrose2
    Megrose2 Member Posts: 331
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Oh, Scampdog, it's just one thing after enough,isn't it? I feel for you. I hope you can get this sorted out asap. Maybe you can get these stitches taken out at your GP's?

    Take care.

    Meg x
  • Scampdog
    Scampdog Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Phoned the hospital and spoke to my therapist who seemed to think it was perfectly normal to have a stitch left in ? I said no way after this length of time is it normal, anyway as I have an appointment to see him Friday and it is not painful or infected we agreed to leave it until then !, he advised me to massage it it to bring it to the surface but as I explained to him it is too far under the skin to do any good....I will update on Friday Xxxxx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hello, I haven't replied before because I have not had this particular operation but I am sorry to read that RA might be involved: that's an un-necessary shock, yes? As for the stitches, well, that's dreadful.

    I have a sports massage around every fortnight and it helps, albeit briefly. I have PsA, OA and fibro and yes, the massage hurts but I feel it's worth having it done. I know my masseuse of old, we met in 1997 and she's worth every penny.

    I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Megrose2
    Megrose2 Member Posts: 331
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    I do hope you can get something sorted out on Friday, Scampdog. Was your therapist thinking of dissolvable stitches? Obviously, stitches can't be left in when there's the risk of infection. You're really going through the mill with this operation!

    Take care.

    Meg
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,712
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Is it out? I do hope so.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Scampdog
    Scampdog Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Stitches still in !! "we are keeping an eye on them" he took a photo of them to see if the redness broadens !....as suspected they are too deep to be removed so happy to be proved right....best news my RA appointment is next week my surgeon pulled out all the stops and got me to the top of the list somehow ?...still very swollen, but I can now start moving the thumb trying to pinch, etc , my wrist moves forward but nor backward, have been told to try and use the hand as much as I can should be fun as I just picked up a sock and it felt like a sack of potatoes LOL.....new splint next week to try and get my fingers straight at least I don't have to wear the old one all the time now.....onwards and upwards Xxx
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,712
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    The muscles will be having a nice long snooze. Don't worry, you'll soon wake them up again.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Scampdog
    Scampdog Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Thanks Sticky ! wish I was having the same snooze , have not had a full nights sleep since the op, silly splint and cast before that keeps me awake ! Xxx
  • Scampdog
    Scampdog Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Been to see the RA specialist today, she poked prodded hummed and AHHHed, and had a good look but is not convinced its RA, not ruling it out until she gets the results of blood, Xray, and scan due next week, at this stage she thinks more likely to be CRPS !! not sure if this is good or bad at this stage ? , although she did say its harder to treat ?....hand very sore and stiff today but its so much cooler outside, good news I can touch my index finger with my thumb no problem now !!!!....another therapy appointment tomorrow for an hour, making a new splint to keep the fingers straight at night, sounds like torture but guess its worth it in the end , bring it on Xxxx
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,712
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    I don't know whether it's good or bad either. Frankly, I know nothing about CRPS but I wouldn't wish RA on my worst enemy and I think a few on here would dispute that it's easy to treat.

    It sounds as if your physio is going well albeit probably not as quickly as you'd have liked. (Does it ever?) Good luck for tomorrow.

    I always rather liked hand splints as they did always help. I had a variety of types over the years. I don't think any actually hurt in the making but then I've never had a trapeziectomy.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Megrose2
    Megrose2 Member Posts: 331
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Pleased that you're making progress by being able to touch your index finger. A small step, but one in the right direction! Good luck with tomorrow's appointment and I hope that things continue to gradually improve for you. I hope the new splint helps things along.

    I'm afraid I know very little about CRPS, but at least the hospital is on the ball and it sounds as though you're getting good treatment and a thorough investigation.

    Take care.

    Meg
  • Scampdog
    Scampdog Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Been to therapy today, before I got there he had a chat with the RA specialist from yesterday she told him and my surgeon that in her opinion it is CPRS and should treat it as this !, got a new splint which keeps my fingers outstretched which I wear at night, its quite comfy....have to see therapist every week for an hour for stretching etc, my surgeon treats with pain killers not sure what ? and large doses of vitamin C !, will know more soon ...off to do my excersise good night all Xxxx
  • Scampdog
    Scampdog Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
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    Hello all ten weeks now !!! time flies when you are having "fun" !...had the diagnosis last week of CRPS so its not RA which is good ! as CRPS is treatable....been going to the hospital at least 4/5 times a week for different appointments scans, xrays, therapy, etc so have been quite busy therapy at least three times a week including mirror therapy yesterday which was different ! ....swelling pain and general stiffness etc seem to be the main problems, have just been refered to a Pain clinic so am waiting for that appointment to come through !....my wrist refuses to bend much like my thumb fingers do not make a fist in fact my hand does not look like my hand !, even my friends stare I love the cold days when I can put a mitt on !....I still have to wear a compression glove along with a splint at night !....sometimes I just have to brush the skin and it hurts ? I had never heard of CRPS before my therapist says I have just been unlucky ?, still tomorrow is another day !!, off to play with my hand putty bye for now Xxxx
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