Ruptured tendon in wrist due to RA

Sdoz

Diagnosed with a ruptured tendon in wrist due to RA complications. The pain is so bad I'm in agony all day every day and can not sleep properly. This has been going on for a year. Hand specialist said due to my age (55) I'm to old to operate on. Even though I'm fit and other than RA am healthy. Has anyone else had this experience?

I can not go on like this any longer.

stickywicket

Do you have wrist splints? They're what NHS recommend. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hand-tendon-repair/

My wrists were horrible until they fused themselves. Prior to that it often felt as if two bones had crossed over and got stuck there. Splints are only a temporary fix as there is so much one can't do while wearing them but, when resting, they do help a lot.

Brynmor

Hi @Sdoz and welcome to the Online Community, good to have you here.

I understand that due to a ruptured tendon in your wrist you are experiencing severe pain and that a specialist consultant has said that repair surgery is not possible for you.

This must be extremely difficult for you. Have you been back to your GP to ask for additional clarification as to why surgery won't be possible: "being too old" does sound as though there is a little more behind this as operations are frequently carried out.

It also may be worth asking for a second opinion and also to ask for referral to specialists who can help if surgery is not possible. Certainly, you would be going back to your GP to ask for help and support for living with the continuing pain.

We have an excellent web site with useful information. There is a page containing more information on wrist pain including a small section on tendinopathy that may contain some helpful suggestions.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/hand-and-wrist-pain

Do join in across the Community and say how you are getting on.

All best wishes

Brynmor

Sdoz

Thank you for answers I have spoken to my GP numerous times, but they just say the same thing, that I'm to old at 55.

I know I'm no longer young but other than the RA which is awful I'm perfectly healthy and active person. And the RA meds do help my general condition but nothing touches the wrist. The pain is awful.

For some reason I'm not able to see another specialist on the NHS and am looking at a private consultation. I'm just wondering if I'm being palmed off and not actually to old for this surgery.

Also yes I do have a wrist splint bit using it causes even more agony and inflames the wrist massively. The only thing that helped at all was steroids and I've been taken off of them.

stickywicket

I think I'd be wanting a bit more info about the age thing. Such as, is it just age or is it because of changes in eg bone structure that come with age, or with RA, which might make surgery much less successful? (I'm only guessing.)

I can see the reluctance to leave you on steroids. They bring their own problems when taken long term.

Back to splints (!) Might it be worth seeing if a different kind helped? I've used several types. Were yours actually prescribed or just OTC?