wrist fusion

[paula40]

Do anyone know of any nurses working with a fused wrist? I am trying to decide about having it done or get the nerves cut. Anyone has any input?

[dickfend]

Hi Paula, I do not know of any nurses that have had wrist fusion but I have had both of mine done. I have had RD for nearly 45 years and had my wrists done about 30+ years ago. I personally have got used to them now and do not realise that I cannot bend them like a healthy one. They are brilliant and realitively painless. My wrists were in a terrible state and I found it extremely painful to pick up a telephone (old style) and as for anything heavier - no way! I won't lie to you and tell you that you won't have difficulty at first doing certain functions but I am very glad now that I had them done. Because I have had both left and right done the hands are set at slightly different angles so as to give you the dexterity to do certain tasks like picking something up from the floor that can't be grabbed with the fingers. I have since had several other joint replacements and found them to be excellent. I am on Infliximab infusions every 6 weeks and Methotrexate every week and they keep me reasonably pain free but I do have flares every so often. If your pain in your wrists is extensive to warrant a fusion I would say go for it, you won't regret it in the long run. I might add that I had a joint replacement in my left wrist first but it was 30+ years ago and the technology wasn't what it is today and it started to deteriorate and they had no alternative but to fuse it. It might be worth asking the specialist if you could have a joint replacement as it would give you some movement. I would be very interested to hear how you get on. Best of luck. Brian

[DC56]

I'm not a nurse but I've had my wrists fused  20 years now but with a rod  and I do everything I did before you find ways around any job and being without the pain is a bonus, but there's only one person to say go for it and that's you ,hope I've helped X Dawn 

[Susiebee31]

Hi I've had both my wrists fused for many years plus darrachs procedures to both of them, tendon transfers etc. I worked as a midwife, it does take a while to adapt but you learn to do things differently and very few people will ever notice. My ladies didn't notice till I got a suntan and would then see the scars running up my forearms, wrists and hands and ask me what they were. The reduction in pain was well worth it and I carried on for about 15 yrs but had to retire at 56 because of my RA, Fibro and OA of spine. In all though worked for 25yrs + with severe destructive RA which was badly controlled.  Not everyone can manage such manual stand on your feet all day jobs, but I loved my work which really helped. I also had good support from occupational health. Some of my colleagues however could be quite harsh but I've got broad shoulders and learnt to ignore them. I  think the only person who can decide if it's right for you is you.  My hands and wrists were so bad there were no options but it turned out fine. Feeling around corners of cupboards is tricky!!

[Bessieboo1]

Hi Paula, I am also a nurse and although I don't have a total fusion of my wrist I do have my trapezium and metacarpal fused on my right hand. I had these fused in 1992/1993, I manage really well at work but I do wear a thermoplastic splint as a protection to stop patient grabbing my hand. It is a strange feeling initially post op but now I don't even think about it. I am starting to have problems with the IP joint due to subluxation and as my consultant has never done a 3 joint fusion he is reluctant to fuse this which is quite frustrating as I would love it to be fused in a functional position. I personally am an advocate of fusing as I have done well with it. Good luck with whatever you decide. Xx

[Sooty-1]

Hi Paula, Im a nurse and needing wrist fusion. Just wondering what did you end up doing 4 years ago? How are you doing?

[paula40]

Hi. I ended up doing a proximal row carpectomy. They took out 4 bones from my wrist. It was rough at first but with therapy it got better. Although my wrist doesn’t bend backwards compared to my other, I still have some movement. I wanted to still be able to use my wrist. If I was to fuse it there would have been no movement. I went to a hand specialist and he was unable to find me anyone that was a nurse who had a fused wrist. So I made the decision to do the proximal row. He thought that would be best also since I workout a lot too. It still lets me know from time to time something is removed from it but overall it’s ok.