Surgery Update: DeQuervian's tendinitis recovery(pics)

Wow, this has been SUCH an interesting thread! I'm really glad it has helped so much. Sorry time isn't going faster!

I had a mystery pain in my left wrist/hand for about two years.... it wasn't tendons, it wasn't carpal tunnel, it wasn't a problem in my neck, it wasn't nerve damage (that they could define) &etc. Finally my OBGYN suggested I start taking extra B6 and that WORKED! If I don't take it for a day or two, the fire and nails are back. But I'm so glad it didn't require surgery. My heart really goes out to you. But importantly, even though the healing is frustrating - it WORKED!

it gets back to 100% ASAP!

Laurie

Wow...that was a really interesting read. I'm glad everythign looks to be going well for you. I'm sure you'll have a full ROM back in no time...although that as some pretty nifty bruising you had going at the beginning.

Plenty of healing that everything continues to heal well and the next one goes smoothly too.

Yet another quick update:

Week 5 post surgery

- started strengthening exercises, 3x a wk.
- I don't wear my brace at home, but if I go out somewhere I have to...
- pain level of course increased with the strengthening.
- ROM is not bad, except reaching thumb to pinkie is still difficult, and bending my hand backwards (picture the position your wrist is in when doing a push up) is non-existant.
- full sensation of my thumb now
- numbness on the one side of the incision.... not as much on the other side.

- grip strength as of Monday was 30lbs my other hand was 70lbs (on that day which was a good day) to give a comparisson. It varies from day to day as to what my grip strength is....my average a few years ago was 46-48kg (101-105lbs)

- follow up with surgeon next week.

and off to physio I go.

Originally Posted by Snake_Lady

- started strengthening exercises, 3x a wk.
- pain level of course increased with the strengthening.

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Only 3x a week? My PT had me doing exercises every single hour I was awake!

And the pain will decrease the longer you do this. You're over the hump now and it's all uphill from here!

Congratulations on your progress!!

Originally Posted by Momofmany

Only 3x a week? My PT had me doing exercises every single hour I was awake!

And the pain will decrease the longer you do this. You're over the hump now and it's all uphill from here!

Congratulations on your progress!!

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Physio 3x a wk....I still do my ROM and a couple strengthening ones at home daily

another update...Friday May 29 I went in for my 6wk followup appt.

I am doing quite well. Full ROM in most aspects, still lacking in some.

I started strengthening a wk or two ago, and it is coming along. I still have to wear my custom brace when doing anything, but for the most part, at home I don't wear it.

My one PT said to continue wearing it if I'm out...mainly for protection. Ex. if going through a clothing store I happen to snag my thumb on something, it will cause alot of pain, then inflammation and I'll have to take a step backwards.

As well, wearing the brace stops me from doing things that I should not be doing. Unfortunately I do not have a gradual pain build up. I go from feeling fine, to heavily in pain..... no middle ground. So being aware of that lets me and my PT's work well together.

I had one set back shortly after starting strengthening.... I did too much without realising it at the time (using hand putty while watching tv...not good) and set myself back 4days because of it.

Bottom line, my surgeon is impressed with how far I've come in 6.5wks and will see me again in 2months time. If I'm 100%, we will schedule the surgery for the right hand. I love my surgeon.... some will just rush and do the second hand when you have minimal function in the one, which makes you entirely dependant on others. Whereas my surgeon waits till you are 100% and have been for a few wks. This avoids the strain from overusing the one hand.

My surgeon's PT was impressed, and did not think I would come this far so fast. (seems long to me, but I've been dealing with this for over 2.5yrs now) There was considerable damage that was repaired, so they both anticipated my healing to be slower than the standard. Which it is has been/is... but faster than they anticipated.

My right arm has been taking a beating because I have to do everything with it.

Again, I would like to say that anyone considerring this surgery...it has been amazing. Yes my recovery will be 4+mos but I had severe damage (READ: don't wait too long...personally I had no choice) but that pain is GONE. It was gone immediately after surgery (normal recovery is bout 8wks for total....but within days you can go back to a light job)

Wow, check out the date on the last update when i thought I might be having the 2nd surgery.... was I ever wrong.

10mos after the surgery on my left hand, I was finally able to get the other one done.

Had my right hand done on Feb.9th.

I am very happy to say there was no probs like last time. I was home by 10am (surgery was at 8).

There have been some differences, but nothing major....just some hopefully temporary nerve issues from them moving everything around.

The one negative I am finding: my left hand is not coping well without my right.... and the scary thing is, I have NOT been doing anything aside from computer a little bit. Since the surgery was Tues, basically Tues/Wed I didn't do much aside from medicate and sleep. This morning I had a bath/shower (not fun) and had the dressings removed. I go back in a week to get the stiches out.

Time will tell I suppose...but I am going to say that I expected too much with the first surgery and was highly disappointed....but now that I've realised some things, I am ok with it.

I don't regret the surgery at all, I just wish that I had known that I would still have problems for the rest of my life (something the occupational therapist told me a month ago, but was not mentioned in the beginning as everyone is different).

The surgery gave me almost full range of motion which in itself increased functionality. Pain, decreased only 1-2pts on the pain scale. My tendons still spasm, burn and throb....I still have problems with weight (some days the weight of my hairbrush is too much, other days I can carry a plate with weight resting on my thumb). It all depends on environment. I am very sensitive to pressure systems, etc.

When I wrote above about the pain being gone, that was with little to no activity. Once we got into strengthening exercises, unfortunately certain aspects of it came back.

My hopes for this surgery are the same: regain full ROM, decreased pain.

I wanted to check out this thread again to have an idea of when the swelling would go down....I don't like this splint LOL, and want my custom one but can't fit in it till the swelling goes down. The custom splint provides me more security, ( its a type of plastic), fits snuggly, whereas the cloth type ones that u see people wearing for carpal tunnel only with the thumb piece is what I have.....it moves, aggravates, and annoys LOL.... I have to be very careful with it.

So there's my update....I'm doing ok 3 days post op....but not looking forward to living without my right hand for months.

Thanks for all the emails, pm, etc. I appreciate it. The surgery itself was so sudden...I went in on a Wed. for my followup, got the call on Friday that gave me 10 days to prepare for surgery.... Good part was that since I knew what to expect, I could prepare my house to make my life as easy as possible.

Anyways, so there is my update that I've been asked for

and thanks

Hi Chris! I was hoping you would update us soon. I didn't want to write and force you to reply.

Miss ya

Chris

It's been about a year since I had my tendon surgery and I agree, there are still days that it throbs. What has helped me on those days is to just do the PT exercises that they taught me. It seems that it's not the tendon that throbs, but all the scar tissue that remains around it. If I kneed the scar tissue, it often settles back down to a pain level that I barely notice. Also warm water baths have helped a lot. I know you can't do that right now with your right hand, but can one of your family members help you with that?

My sister just had her second hip replaced last summer and her PT had her doing exercises for both hips so that the one done earlier could handle the strain of the newly replaced one. You might want to ask your PT about that also.

Here's vibes that you reach your goals from this surgery!

Wow, Chris what an ordeal!

I hope you heal up soon and well!

Wow I certainly learned something after reading and seeing your photo's. I hope the pain is completely gone very soon and you will continue to heal. That was quite a surgery.

Thanks for the update, best wishes for continued improvements! Sounds like it might be combersome and inconvenient now, but in the long run should be much better.

Wow. You will be feeling so much better in no time. I hope everything goes well for you!

Originally Posted by Momofmany

Chris

It's been about a year since I had my tendon surgery and I agree, there are still days that it throbs. What has helped me on those days is to just do the PT exercises that they taught me. It seems that it's not the tendon that throbs, but all the scar tissue that remains around it.

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Unfortunately in my case, because my tendons are dramatically swollen, they throb all the way up my arm, at times spasming (usually at the worst of moments and you can see the 3 distinct tendons pulsing up my forearm) and weather pressure changes increase it... the pain varies from a throb, to a burning, to a sharp jabbing pain during spasm...which I've been told I will more than likely have this for the rest of my life .

We may end up trying cortisone as well and see if that will decrease the swelling But that bridge I will deal with when/if the time comes. (cortisone scares me)

I have very little scar tissue from the first one which I am quite happy with

No warm water here, not with swelling.... i have to ice prior to exercises (which helps but doesn't as I'm extremely sensitive to cold on my hands/wrists)

Good suggestions tho I guess its been proven, a couple times now, that I'm abnormal LOL.... (my body is wired differently than most)

Today was spent on the couch for the most part.....I'm hoping my swelling has peaked now, but looking over my posts from the other one, I don't think it has but I'm hoping.

Everyone in my house is sick, except me....weird in itself, usually I get sick...so I'm taking good care of myself in hopes I don't get sick.


Anyways, thanks for the well wishes, take care everyone, and now ya'll know where I am

Continued that everything heals up and you'll be in less pain than you expect!

Sending lots of vibes your way that you feel better soon!!!

Interesting story.  I had the same surgery.  What exercises did you do after the surgery.  My doctor did not give me any exercises to do.  I am going to call him to see what exercises I should do.  I still have SOME pain, but nothing like before the surgery.  I just want to strengthen my hand again.  Also, my tendons were so tight before the surgery, that they pulled my thumb out of alignment.  It still looks weird, but I'm sure it will get better with time.  I hope your recovery is going well.

jswain620 said:

Interesting story.  I had the same surgery.  What exercises did you do after the surgery.  My doctor did not give me any exercises to do.  I am going to call him to see what exercises I should do.  I still have SOME pain, but nothing like before the surgery.  I just want to strengthen my hand again.  Also, my tendons were so tight before the surgery, that they pulled my thumb out of alignment.  It still looks weird, but I'm sure it will get better with time.  I hope your recovery is going well.

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Welcome to TSC.  Snake_Lady who started this thread no longer posts here. Definitely check with your doctor about physiotherapy and exercises.  This way you get the right information and you don't do damage to the area by doing incorrect exercises.

Good advice the attending doc is definitely where to start, to ask about things like post surgical exercise, but I can understand why the new member would want to compare notes with someone else who has been through the same thing.

Just because Snake Lady hasn't posted in a few months doesn't mean she "no longer posts here". Many people take occasional breaks or get busy for a few months.