What is wrong with me?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 45,883
Likes: 5,402
From: Loveland, CO
^Dave, I'm remembering my back issues with a ruptured disc. The surgeon then told me they could operate or I could wait 6 months(?) and my body would heal itself. I hope that is an option for my wrist, too. I really don't want to have surgery when I can still function. What if I don't heal well? Then my thumb and a finger are screwed up. 
Gotta be able to shift and I still can, now.
Gotta be able to shift and I still can, now.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 45,883
Likes: 5,402
From: Loveland, CO
What is an example of Tendon Transfer Surgery?
After a fracture of the wrist, the fragments of bone associated with the fracture may erode the tendon that straightens the tip of the thumb. In this situation, the thumb tip would not be able to move upward (extend). [B]The muscle that extends the tip of the thumb is the extensor pollicus longus (EPL) (see Figure 1). In this example, the EPL tendon typically cannot be directly repaired because it is too frayed. There are two muscles that extend the index finger. Just like the body has two kidneys, so that one can be spared if necessary, the body also has two tendons that extend the index finger. One tendon is left intact on the index finger so that it won
After a fracture of the wrist, the fragments of bone associated with the fracture may erode the tendon that straightens the tip of the thumb. In this situation, the thumb tip would not be able to move upward (extend). [B]The muscle that extends the tip of the thumb is the extensor pollicus longus (EPL) (see Figure 1). In this example, the EPL tendon typically cannot be directly repaired because it is too frayed. There are two muscles that extend the index finger. Just like the body has two kidneys, so that one can be spared if necessary, the body also has two tendons that extend the index finger. One tendon is left intact on the index finger so that it won
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 45,883
Likes: 5,402
From: Loveland, CO
UPDATE: May 4, 2009. I'm feeling MUCH better! 
In the past 3 weeks, I had an MRI done on my right knee, and on my right wrist. Also, had lots of cortisone shot into my right knee (second time) five days ago. The cortisone shot five days ago has worked like a miracle. Honestly. The swelling in my knee is about gone and the wrist lump is about 1/4th of what it was. Before the shot, I was in pain all the time, even though I was living on 4 ibuprofen, every 6 hours, or so. I was dragging and sad, from hurting so much for about 5 months. I haven't needed to take anything for pain, now, for about four days.
The MRI on my knee showed I have no real damage to tendons, cartilage or ligaments, but lots of issues due to RA. The shot seemed to fix it, for the most part. I just am
that it lasts a long time. I am also hoping that now that the inflamation has calmed down with the shots, maybe the Enbrel can keep it under control.
The wrist MRI confirmed a ruptured tendon and more issues with RA. I've decided to go ahead and get the tendon transfer surgery done (on May 13th), now that I'm feeling like my old self again. It's elective surgery. I could live with my loss of right thumb extension. The RA seems to be under control right now, though, so I want to go for "the fix" while it's calmed down. The hand specialist I saw today, for a second opinion, was one of the "I'm GOD"-type doctors, (A complete A$$HOLE) but he agreed with the surgery fix. (I was so glad my
Jerry was with me at the appointment.)
In the past 3 weeks, I had an MRI done on my right knee, and on my right wrist. Also, had lots of cortisone shot into my right knee (second time) five days ago. The cortisone shot five days ago has worked like a miracle. Honestly. The swelling in my knee is about gone and the wrist lump is about 1/4th of what it was. Before the shot, I was in pain all the time, even though I was living on 4 ibuprofen, every 6 hours, or so. I was dragging and sad, from hurting so much for about 5 months. I haven't needed to take anything for pain, now, for about four days.
The MRI on my knee showed I have no real damage to tendons, cartilage or ligaments, but lots of issues due to RA. The shot seemed to fix it, for the most part. I just am
that it lasts a long time. I am also hoping that now that the inflamation has calmed down with the shots, maybe the Enbrel can keep it under control.The wrist MRI confirmed a ruptured tendon and more issues with RA. I've decided to go ahead and get the tendon transfer surgery done (on May 13th), now that I'm feeling like my old self again. It's elective surgery. I could live with my loss of right thumb extension. The RA seems to be under control right now, though, so I want to go for "the fix" while it's calmed down. The hand specialist I saw today, for a second opinion, was one of the "I'm GOD"-type doctors, (A complete A$$HOLE) but he agreed with the surgery fix. (I was so glad my
Jerry was with me at the appointment.)
Great news, Patty! 
