Lib,

My job is all computer work so I'm just taking it easy with the typing. I've been icing my wrist and trying to take breaks. My pinkie has been hurting some too.

As for PT, well I kind of have on call at all times since my husband is one! He's basically just having me flex out the hand and elbow right now since the ortho didn't clear me to do much until I see him again on 11/17 which will be 6 weeks post-op. I just don't have any grip or strength to it. Can't open jars or caps and I can't really rotate my wrist but then of course I have my wrist splint on so I'm supposed to anyway. If I was a stylist like you, I definitely could not work yet either. The first few days typing were hard but each day my fingers seem to loosen up a bit and it gets easier. Although I really can't write too well yet.

KBT0416 wrote:
Hi Lib and Brenda!

I got my stitches out on the 20th and yowzah, that freakin hurt! I have maybe slight clawing in my pinkie and some pain like I did before surgery but I just went back to work this week and I'm starting to type again so I guess that's not surprising. No numbness in fingers but my palm is numb. Wrist is still really bruised and the heel of my palm super swollen. My elbow is doing well. Some numbness and I can't straighten it all the way but my incision is remarkably small, less than 2 inches! And they did the Guyon and Carpal through one incision! I go back to the surgeon on the 17th and I may just have to make him cookies!

Karin

Howdy Karin!!

I think I am weird or something as when they took my staples out, it tickled! My surgeon was amazed at how quickly I could fully straighten out my elbow! My fingers and palm stayed numb for a few months, and then I still has some left over on the fingers. If you work your hands properly, you should get most of the function back, and too strength. Mine had gotten to where the "intrinsic" muscles going to the index and middle fingers atrophied. I couldn't even cross my fingers!

At around 3 or 4 months after surgery I could finally do it. It was funny because I was at work the first time I succeeded in getting them to cross. I let out a happy squeal and I think my employee thought I was smoking something! <G> It's amazing what small things make us happy eh? That one little advancement actually gave me "new energy" and acceptance to the whole physical therapy gig!

Guyon and Carpal through one incision! Excellent! It wasn't too long ago, that was a 2 cut job! Hopefully that will allow you to heal that much faster Karin. *hug* It is sounding better and better! Don't overdue it of course, your doing great!

Brenda

lib wrote:
hi girls!
brenda, i think you deserve an award, you handle things with such a positive outlook and patience i think you have mastered through all of this, i wish you a speedy recovery!

take care girls!

Thanks much Lib, but like everyone, I do have my personal "quiet" pitty parties! <G> In my job I see a lot of bad stuff, and there are times I will go in the back yard and scream, or cry or whatever - you have to get it out or else it will EAT you up! I love my husband to death, but I can't whine to him all the time - he would listen sure, but yelling at the grass doesn't care if it is the first time or the 100th! <EG>

I will know in a few weeks if it is likely the fusion is/has failed. If so, I will be retiring. I have the paperwork in front of me now to finish filling out. I will then dedicate the "new freedom" to heal as much as I can, and then decide what my "new" chapter will be. A revision surgery is like 5 times the recovery time - I can handle it now that I sort of know what is involved. Would I have all my Ulnar issue surgeries if I were to go back 2 years - YES! I am very happy with the work my surgeon did. You are never 100% after being cut on, but 85% fix, heck I have no problem with that ladies!!! Keep the bright shining!!

Brenda