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View Full Version : So I'm thinking I might need surgery on my wrist



Marisa6826
07-13-2005, 02:22 PM
Don't know if you Girlies remember, but I've been having problems on and off with my left (dominant) wrist since Mia was born. The hand doctor thought that it was probably a ganglion cyst and told me to wear a splint for three weeks.

Well, the pain was still coming and going despite the splint, so he sent me for a MRI. It turns out that I have SEVERAL cysts - like 4 or 5.

The doctor recommended doing steroidal shots, but advised me that their success rate is only about 33% and that they don't last forever. Um, why bother? ( My other concern is injecting steroids into my system. For those of you that don't know or remember, I have benign MS (multiple sclerosis not morning sickness ;) ). I really don't want to screw around with that.)

He said that it was at least less invasive. Yeah, but if I'm going to end up having to have surgery, I'd just rather get it over and done with.

It's all of a sudden really acting up again, so I have another appointment on Wednesday.

The downtime is 10 days or so completely immobilised and then another several weeks to work out the stiffness and swelling. I supposed Jonathan would have to either take time off and/or work from home to help me with the girls - especially till the stitches are out. I would also have to likely cough up extra cash for the sitter to be around more often - specifically if J works from home.

Any thoughts?

-m

Sarah1
07-13-2005, 02:33 PM
No advice--just lots of sympathy! I hope you and your doc can make some good decisions at your appt. on Wednesday. What I want to know is, how are you going to compose all your wonderful, witty posts while you are recovering from this surgery (if you have it) ???????????????? I will miss you terribly! :)

JMarie
07-13-2005, 02:47 PM
Ah - I question I can answer! ;) I have ganglion cysts in both of my wrists and had surgery several years ago on my dominant (right) hand. Yes, the surgeon warned me that I wouldn't be able to 'use' the wrist for several days, but I was back at work (retail) within 48 hours. The wrist was not immobilized and I was able to take the wrap off within a few days (showering, in the meantime, was a pain in the patootie). I don't know where your cysts are located or where the incision would be, but mine was right on top of my wrist over the tendons. Full mobility did take a long while to come back - maybe six months or so - and the incision site was raised for maybe a year. Now, you can't tell unless I point it out.

I would think you might need extra help for just a week, maybe a little more. Even before the stitches came out, I didn't have a problem lifting things. My mom has MS and I would have to help her with transfers, with no problems after the first week. It wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, but it wasn't going to rip open the incision. Good luck! I was so happy to get rid of those cysts - I hope surgery goes just as well for you, if that is your ultimate decision.

Jennifer
Mom to Aidan Christopher
01/28/03

asha
07-13-2005, 02:48 PM
Hope all this is behind you soon.

I had severe tendinitis after DS was born. I was unable to lift a bottle for DS, let alone pick him up for nursing. DH had to wake up, pick up DS, give him to me for nursing, take him back atc every time at night. THis was when DS was 1 week old, so as such life was crazy with out this.
I know your problem is a totally different thing. However, I wanted to let you know that I went through a lot of pain myself and I totally feel for you. My doc suggested steroid shots too. I just went ahead and took it (my parents and DH were not too happy about the idea). The shots really helped me for a while (6 months approx). After that the pain came back and it was there as long as I was BFing. After I weaned, my hands and wrists are fine.

May be you could give the shots a chance. At least you might get some relief till you can make arrangements for the surgery. Think about it. I am sure you know your situation best.

Hope you feel better soon.

Moneypenny
07-13-2005, 02:56 PM
I had surgery to remove a ganglion cyst from my right (dominant) wrist back when I was in college. The pain was so severe prior to surgery I could hardly use my arm. We tried PT and OT first, but it actually made it worse. Once the surgeon got in there he discovered the cyst had actually eaten away a nickel-sized hole in one of my bones so he had to repair that damage as well. Said he'd never seen anything like it, but it explained the severe pain. At any rate, the recovery was slightly worse than I anticipated because of that and I ended up with a cast, rather than a splint. I think the cast came off after 10 days and then I had a splint for several weeks while I went to therapy to get my strength and range of motion back. Therapy hurt like a son-of-a-gun, but it made me sure to do my exercises at home so I could be done with it. Basically, the therapist had me sit with my arm resting on a table and my hand hanging off the edge. She would stand up and put her weight on my hand in order to get my wrist to bend. Ouch! However, during my appointments there was a teenage boy who had become paralyzed in a diving accident, and all his friends would come to cheer him on while he learned to walk, and I felt like a big wimp for worrying about my little wrist.

But, I digress. Within a couple of months I was pretty much back to normal and I haven't had a problem since, although I think my hand is not quite as strong as it was before. The scar is also nice and neat and not too terribly noticeable, I think.

Honestly, the pain prior to surgery was so bad that recovery didn't seem very difficult at all. You'll also get some nice pills for post-surgery pain management ;).
Susan
mama to my cutie pie, Avery
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_amber_9m.gif[/img][/url]

barbarhow
07-13-2005, 03:45 PM
Big hugs to you Mama. I know nothing about what you are going through but wanted you to know I am thinking of you. (I owe you a call)
Are you sure its not overuse trauma from being on the boards??? ;-)
Barbara-mom to Jack 3/27/03, a Red Sox fan
and Anna 5/12/05, my little Yankee fan!

hez
07-13-2005, 04:34 PM
Thinking about you! No experience, but lots of sympathy.

I didn't realize steroids were a bad thing with MS-- when they were trying to decide if that was my diagnosis (one long painful month of optic neuritis) they had suggested I might need steroids to help my ON if they decided I was high risk for MS. When they decided I was low risk, they had me gut it out with ibuprofen instead. Totally different circumstance I know, but it got me wondering.

kath68
07-13-2005, 04:58 PM
Me, too! The pain was excruciating -- you don't realize how much you use your wrist until you can't.

After putting it off, trying splints, etc. I had the shot, and it was like an overnight miracle. To date (six months later), no pain. Well, maybe just a little now and then just recently.

I know it is a different problem, but I wholeheartedly recommend the shot -- and I was skeptical about them. But a lot can happen in six months, and I would do anything to put off surgery.

Good luck, and I hope the pain gets better no matter what option you try.

mudder17
07-13-2005, 05:03 PM
Hugs Marisa! My first thought is to not get the steroid injection because of concerns about your MS, the low success rate, and because steroids also lower your immune system. I had bad tendonitis (can't remember the name of it--some French guy's syndrome) on my left wrist and it was definitely exacerbated by nursing and by carrying DD around. I didn't have cysts, but it was pretty bad anyway. I tried OT for quite a few weeks, but it didn't really seem to help. So I finally broke down and got the steroid injection. It gave me relief, but what it was really doing was destroying the nerve tissues in the area so that it no longer hurt. So it never healed anything and I'm sure I exacerbated the injury during the time of relief. A few months later the pain came back (the doctor said it probably would as the steroid injection is only temporary relief) and he suggested another injection. He said that a lot of nursing mothers had this tendonitis and that the injection could be given to them to give them relief and typically they would have to get more injections until they weaned and/or their kid started walking. I decided against the second shot because I had learned in the time b/w shots 1 and 2 what the shot was really doing, plus I didn't want to depress my immune system anymore. So I lived with the pain for a few weeks--that's when I started yoga. Within a month after I started yoga, I suddenly noticed that the wrist was completely pain-free. I guess I just needed to strengthen my wrist! In any case, if I had the cysts, I think I would actually opt for the surgery because in the long run, it would actually be healing. I know surgery is more invasive, but I've known at least 4 people who have had successful wrist/hand surgery (one of them my MIL), so I guess that may color my judgement.

I'm sure you and your doctor will be able to figure out the best option for you. Trust your gut on this one.

Big hugs!

Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 16 months & counting


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Marisa6826
07-13-2005, 05:07 PM
Hunt and peck, baby. Hunt and peck!

Add in some good painkillers and I think there is the potential for us to ALL have some fun :P

-m

Marisa6826
07-13-2005, 05:12 PM
Jen-

Mine are along the wrist joint and off to the side closest to my thumb (at least that's how it feels).

I had massive surgery several years ago on both hands (not at once). Carpal Tunnel, DeQuervain's syndrome and Trigger Fingers. I had over 40 stitches in each hand. OWIES. That's really all I have it to compare to.

I wasn't allowed to use my hand at all for 10 days other than wiggle my fingers a little bit. Of course, Jonathan couldn't for the life of himself figure out a pony tail (and we PRACTICED beforehand!), so I tried to do that a couple of times, bolstered by some serious Vicodin. Each ponytail would set me back about four hours in hardcore pain.

At least I know that Eileen (my sitter) can do ponies! ;)

How big is your incision? I've been Googling and can't find any pics.

Thanks!

-m

JMarie
07-13-2005, 05:19 PM
Maybe an inch long? Very small - I actually requested to be awake during the surgery so I could watch. It was very interesting, to say the least. Back to the topic - I think it was a week or two before I could move my wrist enough to hook my bra or put my hair up. Nothing too bad, but annoying nonetheless. Thankfully, I have three younger sisters who were able to help me with those problems!

Jennifer
Mom to Aidan Christopher
01/28/03

Marisa6826
07-13-2005, 05:21 PM
Don't be silly.

It's from all that powertraining I'm doing - you know - Hanna surfing and all. ;) :P

-m

Marisa6826
07-13-2005, 05:23 PM
DeQuervain's Syndrome? I've had it in both hands. It really does hurt. They fixed it surgically.

I found a yoga place nearby that has a pretty good schedule. I've just not gotten the guts to try it yet ;)

-m

wagner36
07-13-2005, 05:28 PM
Ahhhhhh, Vicodin....

mudder17
07-13-2005, 05:30 PM
That's it! I can never remember his name. Yeah, it really was awful for a while. Hmm...do you need some encouragement from here to go to yoga? ;) I think I've finally convinced my girlfriend (now in Arkansas :() to do yoga. She suffers from a ton of ailments (TMJ, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, to name a few) and has found the only place in her city that offers yoga. She's planning on a taking at least a couple restorative yoga classes. I'm really excited for her. :) She's also found a good massage therapist that she'll start going to once a month. Hmm...maybe all moms should have that, what do you think? :P


Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 16 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

kath68
07-13-2005, 05:33 PM
That's what I had (see post above). It really does hurt a lot. As it was explained to me, the cortisone reduces the swelling and can therfore stop the cycle of pain (swelling presses on nerves, screws up alignment, etc.). So far it has worked for me (knock on wood). At least it bought me enough time to get to the point where DS can walk most places.

Sarah1
07-13-2005, 05:41 PM
LOL, Tara! :P

barbarhow
07-13-2005, 07:03 PM
Oh-LOL!!!! I am so glad I have my own bank account. My DH would freak if he saw the activity on my PP. I so know the feeling. I bought Anna some Uggs today on the swap. Now tell me-does an infant REALLY need Uggs??? (Rhetorical. Please don't answer)
Barbara-mom to Jack 3/27/03, a Red Sox fan
and Anna 5/12/05, my little Yankee fan!

JMarie
07-13-2005, 07:08 PM
I have to second the yoga suggestion. I love my lunch classes. It makes me so relaxed!

Jennifer
Mom to Aidan Christopher
01/28/03

nov04
07-13-2005, 07:09 PM
I have no advice, just wanted to wish you well. Sounds like you already know what you want to do, I know you'll recover fast.

Wife_and_mommy
07-14-2005, 09:45 AM
Wanted to send good wishes. I'm sure you'll do great and all will work out. :) Here's to a quick recovery and no more pain. :)


Elizabeth

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

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http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev035pb___.png
Our second morsel due early February 2006!

tina-t
07-14-2005, 02:25 PM
Whatever you decide to do, I hope everything goes well.

Wanted to send my sympathies to you too. I also have a cyst at the base of my thumb that causes a "trigger thumb". It is quite painful. I have to see a specialist to get it checked out. My primary care dr. warned me that I will most likely get a steroid injection on that site. Not looking forward to it, but I am so tired of this pain!

Aunt to sweet baby boy
08-11-2006, 02:14 AM
I am most likely getting a cortisone injection a week from monday for De Quirvains and CTS. I was wondering how you are doing marisa. If you had the surgery, how it went etc.

I have been having these symptoms for about 2 months and i am starting a really hard semester of school in 2 weeks and if the cortisone does not help i will be in big trouble because the classes i am taking involve alot of typing and computer work.

I have been wearing a split for almost 2 months. I had an EMG and Nerve conduction test and they were both very close to normal. I have been going to OT for 3 weeks with no change. Is there anything else i can do?

Thanks so much

Ilana, aka Nana to my sweet nephew Avi

http://lilypie.com/pic/060403/hfNw.jpg[/img]http://b2.lilypie.com/h2bbm7/.png[/img][/url]

Marisa6826
08-11-2006, 07:49 AM
Ilana-

I had the surgery almost exactly a year ago. It's totally fine now. I would highly recommend going to a hand surgeon rather than just a regular orthopedic or general surgeon. It made a world of difference.

Unfortunately, I'm now two days post op from major foot surgery. I had my achilles tendon lengthened and ankle stabilised. I'm SO not a happy camper right now!

Find out whether or not your hand/wrist will be immobilised after the cortisone injection. The more the steriod can stay within the joint, the better response you will have.

Have you been taking oral anti-inflammatories as well?

-m

ChunkyNicksChunkyMom
08-11-2006, 09:41 AM
No advice but good thoughts coming your way. I am sorry you are facing this.
Susan

#1 Nick 11-18-04
#2 Kate 04-26-06

Corie
08-11-2006, 12:33 PM
I feel the same way you do. I would rather do the surgery
and just get it over with. Good Luck!!

mskitty
08-12-2006, 08:19 PM
My ganglion surgery was on my nondominant hand. The farthest my hand would close would be to grab an orange. I had surgery done by a general surgeon who was highly recommended by my doctor. The surgery itself was easy. I was walking back out less than three hours after I walked in. I had an open cast(about an inch open so you could itch) for about 10 days, splint for several weeks and skipped PT due to being away from home. It took me about two years to truly regain my full strength due to skipping PT. If you have the surgery, do the PT.

My cyst became progressivly worse over about three years. The lack of function is what sent me for surgery. It's hard to function with one working hand, whether it has been operated on or until it heals. I kind of wish I would have done mine sooner but I put it off until my hand was pretty immobile and painful.

Hoping you find peace in a painfree future,

MsKitty

mskitty
08-12-2006, 08:19 PM
My ganglion surgery was on my nondominant hand. The farthest my hand would close would be to grab an orange. I had surgery done by a general surgeon who was highly recommended by my doctor. The surgery itself was easy. I was walking back out less than three hours after I walked in. I had an open cast(about an inch open so you could itch) for about 10 days, splint for several weeks and skipped PT due to being away from home. It took me about two years to truly regain my full strength due to skipping PT. If you have the surgery, do the PT.

My cyst became progressivly worse over about three years. The lack of function is what sent me for surgery. It's hard to function with one working hand, whether it has been operated on or until it heals. I kind of wish I would have done mine sooner but I put it off until my hand was pretty immobile and painful.

Hoping you find peace in a painfree future,

MsKitty