Wrist surgery

[mongoose]

Been living off cortisone injections. Getting to the point where I’ll need surgery. Putting off as long ma wrist will work. What are the opinions between replacement and fusing the wrist joint? Thanks

 

[Fishkiller]

I’m looking at joint replacement. Found a doc in San Antonio that is a hand specialist. I will be getting a bionic thumb. IMO and seeing my SIL get her back fused it seems that the cure is worse than the problem

 

[General Zod]

Been living off cortisone injections. Getting to the point where I’ll need surgery. Putting off as long ma wrist will work. What are the opinions between replacement and fusing the wrist joint? Thanks

I can't imagine fusing the joint would make your hand very useable afterward...do they have decent wrist replacements these days?

 

[Mowingmaniac 24/7]

GZ,

I passed up getting shoulder replacements (yes, both) as my family doc told me they were either successful...or not, as there's no middle ground...so I passed.

50/50 aren't acceptable odds for me.

 

[General Zod]

GZ,

I passed up getting shoulder replacements (yes, both) as my family doc told me they were either successful...or not, as there's no middle ground...so I passed.

50/50 aren't acceptable odds for me.

I'm looking at having to replace both knees. Putting it off absolutely as long as I can stand it...even though the two people I've known with knee replacements recovered well and quickly (including my father when he was in his 80s)...but the whole idea of having parts of my body removed and discarded freaks me the hell out.

 

[mongoose]

I can't imagine fusing the joint would make your hand very useable afterward...do they have decent wrist replacements these days?

I’m see a new Doc latter this month. His website talks about stem cell therapy and joint replacement. I’ll be practicing off had shooting starting now. Also checking out laser practice and a Ruger in .22. Checked POA on a couple of pistol I had put new sights on……lite me up the following day.

 

[baboon]

Been living off cortisone injections. Getting to the point where I’ll need surgery. Putting off as long ma wrist will work. What are the opinions between replacement and fusing the wrist joint? Thanks

I worked with a guy that had his spine fused. Pain doctor said I can't help you as I cannot get the needle where it needs to go. He ate hydrocodone like a kid with halloween candy.

 

[striker55]

I'm looking at having to replace both knees. Putting it off absolutely as long as I can stand it...even though the two people I've known with knee replacements recovered well and quickly (including my father when he was in his 80s)...but the whole idea of having parts of my body removed and discarded freaks me the hell out.

My brother had both knees replaced at the same time. He did it right before he retired, he's good now. From being on medical leave to retirement went well for him.

 

[oldag]

I'm looking at having to replace both knees. Putting it off absolutely as long as I can stand it...even though the two people I've known with knee replacements recovered well and quickly (including my father when he was in his 80s)...but the whole idea of having parts of my body removed and discarded freaks me the hell out.

The key is the doc. I know a number of people who have had knee replacements. All but one did fantastic and are glad they had it done. All but that one went to the same doc.

 

[Fishkiller]

Two of my wife's cousins had knee and hip replacement by the same doc. Both were utter failures and required a second surgery. There are limited ortho guys in the Big Town and they do everything from head to toe. You want a guy that specializes certain parts of the anatomy. Therefore wife had her knee replaced in San Antonio by knee specialist, he only does knees. I will have the hand specialist do my thumb, after hunting season.

 

[General Zod]

The key is the doc. I know a number of people who have had knee replacements. All but one did fantastic and are glad they had it done. All but that one went to the same doc.

Good point. There's one really good orthopedic surgeon (legendary, pretty much) in Austin named Dr Frosty Moore that several of my friends went to for various injuries and surgeries, and who handled not only my dad's knee replacements, but the replacement of his worn-out artificial hip back around 1995. Looks like he's practicing in Dripping Springs, now. Probably close to retiring.

Funny story - my friend Lisa went to him because of a rather horrific injury to her shoulder that required the joint to basically be taken apart and reassembled, with some bone removed from her shoulderblade. Just as she was drifting off under the anesthesia, Dr Moore patted her good shoulder gently, smiled, and said "Don't worry, we'll have your knee as good as new when you wake up..."

 

[Mowingmaniac 24/7]

GZ,

'...but the whole idea of having parts of my body removed and discarded freaks me the hell out.'

Me too!

And, this is in part why I've passed up the entire 'replacement idea'.

Plus, I was told I wouldn't be able to do some of the physical, i.e., heavy effort I'm used to as I might 'strip the gears' of my artificial parts.

Well hell, I'll just live with the 'shoulders' pain...I'm used to it.

Also, the PT afterwards is not something I care to go through either.

I've been through a variety of PT...none of it was effective and I'm was very compliant in doing 'at home' PT...which did absolutely nothing to help...

Maybe PT has helped other people, but not me...

 

[mongoose]

Hopefully,this new Doc will agree to just keep shooting the wrist full of cortisone It sounds like a ratchet, but it works

 

[dsgrey]

I haven't had anything replaced in my wrist but I fractured mine in 2 places back in June. They had to insert a stainless steel plate within a week so I was in a cast for a total of 7 weeks and have a 3" surgery scar. The movement in my wrists is still nowhere near 100% and they said it could take 9-12 months before "normal" returns. I had no idea it would take this long. I have no idea what immobilization you might have after surgery but if it's weeks, then I'd expect something similar. I went to PT for 2 weeks to learn the basics and I'm doing home PT but improvement comes very slow. Main issue at this point is bending my hand back and lifting heavier objects (a thick drinking glass). I drive left handed but not so much anymore. I've also found a suicide spinner on my steering wheel is a nice feature. The palm of my hand is about halfway numb and I'm told it takes time for the nerves to regenerate.

 

[oldag]

GZ,

'...but the whole idea of having parts of my body removed and discarded freaks me the hell out.'

Me too!

And, this is in part why I've passed up the entire 'replacement idea'.

Plus, I was told I wouldn't be able to do some of the physical, i.e., heavy effort I'm used to as I might 'strip the gears' of my artificial parts.

Well hell, I'll just live with the 'shoulders' pain...I'm used to it.

Also, the PT afterwards is not something I care to go through either.

I've been through a variety of PT...none of it was effective and I'm was very compliant in doing 'at home' PT...which did absolutely nothing to help...

Maybe PT has helped other people, but not me...

I have heard that shoulders are much tougher replacements than knees or hips.

Almost everyone I know has been glad they had their knees and hips fixed. Actually, the shoulder surgery folks have been glad - once they finally healed. But the latter had a much tougher time with rehab.

 

[General Zod]

I have heard that shoulders are much tougher replacements than knees or hips.

Almost everyone I know has been glad they had their knees and hips fixed. Actually, the shoulder surgery folks have been glad - once they finally healed. But the latter had a much tougher time with rehab.

Yeah, luckily Lisa didn't need any replacement parts, there was just a lot of work done to repair the way it had been dislocated and further injured. Dr Moore did good work - by the time I knew her, she had full motion and use of that shoulder, and very little scarring from the surgery.

 

[mongoose]

My cousin has had extensive rebuilding of both his shoulders and my neighbor one ( twice) I’ve been told the secret to success is strict rehab. My neighbors first surgery was a failure, the second one took well ( same Doc ). My neighbor said the difference was that he took the second one more seriously and followed the rehab.
I’m also looking at stem cell and plasma infusions. Main drawback is distance to the Docs and lack of payment by insurance for “ experimental “ procedures.

 

[oldag]

My cousin has had extensive rebuilding of both his shoulders and my neighbor one ( twice) I’ve been told the secret to success is strict rehab. My neighbors first surgery was a failure, the second one took well ( same Doc ). My neighbor said the difference was that he took the second one more seriously and followed the rehab.
I’m also looking at stem cell and plasma infusions. Main drawback is distance to the Docs and lack of payment by insurance for “ experimental “ procedures.

Tough choices to make.

 

[oldag]

Ran into someone this week that had stem cell treatments done for their knee. They were pleased with the results. Insurance did not cover, but he got a discount for paying cash up front.