Trapeziectomy with LRTI - issue with pulling sensation and limited movement in forearm

PaulS

Good evening, my first post here. 5 weeks ago I had a trapeziectomy with LRTI on my right thumb. After the cast came off I noticed an issue where I am unable to pull my right hand back fully towards my inner forearm. I have about 20 degrees of movement when I should have about 80 degrees and I get a crease across my mid right forearm, where the wound site is from where the tendon was removed, once this creases I just can't move the hand any further. Has anyone experienced anything similar after this surgery? I haven't seen the surgeon yet and my appointment has been cancelled so it might be a while before I get booked in again. I guess I am wanting to know if this is something I am likely to have to live with or if it wil improve with physio.

Thanks for reading, any advice appreciated, Paul.

Scotmac01

Hello Paul, I’m 17 weeks post trapeziectomy. I had a Weilby sling, but I don’t know if that’s the same as an LRTI. I can’t offer you advice, just tell you about my experience. I was in a cast for 6 weeks and am doing my physio exercises to strengthen and mobilise my hand and wrist. I can move my wrist about 50% of the way towards my inner forearm. I wonder if it would be worthwhile contacting the department where you had surgery to ask for advice. Hope you get some more targeted advice, and best wishes for your recovery.

Trish9556

Hi @PaulS

You say you had surgery 5 weeks ago, when did you have your cast off and have you been given any hand therapy exercises to do?

I had mine in October 2020 on my left hand.

Your wrist is going to be stiff and like your hand and thumb it is going to take a lot of hard work to get it working as it should be.

If you haven't been given any exercises or seen a hand therapist, search on my name and you will find some exercise sheets that I was given at the time my cast was removed after 3 weeks and I was back using a keyboard all day as a busy PA after 6 weeks.

Buy some therapy putty and exercise balls. They come in different strengths so start with the softest. Use to pull pinch stretch roll and generally play with while you're watching the TV.. This will strengthen.

Put small items on a table, buttons, coins etc, slide to the edge of the table with forefinger and pick up from the edge with thumb and forefinger in a punching movement.

Rest hand on a table palm down and slowly raise hand up from the wrist, not too far to start with. Turn over and repeat.

Move thumb across your hand to tip of little finger and slide down, repeat with all fingers.

Your wrist/forearm movement will improve but it needs encouragement hard work.

Please feel free to shout or message if you need anything.

Trish

PaulS

Thanks for the advice, the cast came off after 2 weeks and I was put into a splint. I only noticed the issue when I took this off to shower. The wrist itself feels strong and I have no issues moving it until I get to the point where I get the crease on the wound site and then I just can't move it any further. I have seen the physio at the hospital and have some basic hand exercises to do. Hopefully I will see some improvement before I get to see the surgeon.

Paul

Poppyjane

Welcome @PaulS to the online community

I am so pleased to see that you already have had some responses to your question. Patience and exercise seem to be the messages coming through. It is always reassuring to hear from others who have had a similar experience.

I attach a link which also has a link to a V A factsheet both of which I hope will be helpful.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/hand-and-wrist-surgery/

Best of luck with your exercises and your post surgery appointment. Keep us posted about your progress

Take care

Poppyjane