Possible wrist fusion

[Marycullen]

I wanted to check if any of you have had a wrist fusion or replacement. My right wrist is now on a cast so I can use my fingers again and it stabilizes my wrist. The next step is surgery. I have had RA for 18 years and this will be my first fusion

[beeckey]

I had my wrist fused i think it must have been about 17 years ago.I was in agony suffered it for about a year before they fused it after the pain of the op eased it made a big difference a wee bit annoying that it doesnt bend but a small price to pay to ease the pain.I did not know at the time but that was my first sign of RA

[Marycullen in reply to beeckey]

Thanks for the information. Did you ever consider wrist replacement.

[beeckey in reply to Marycullen]

No it was never offered so i dont know much about it sorry

[BoneyC]

Both my wrists have fused themselves without surgery, although in a "droopy" position. No doctor ever suggested surgery and I've had the disease 46 years.

[Marycullen in reply to BoneyC]

wow, Boney. You are the longest time I have heard with this ugly disease. You got RA before they really started treating and finding biological to help slow the progress of the disease. God bless you. My right hand was so painful and I already had some nodules taken off of my fingers from this wonderful hand doctor. I thought maybe it was carpal tunnel since every finger had sharp pain. He put me in a cast to stabilize my wrist for four weeks and thanpain has subsided. We will see what the next step will be. I can't imagine natural fusing with all the nerves involved besides,the swelling and pain.

[Allije]

Hi I've had RA 33 years now and had left wrist fused about 15years ago. It's been very successful and I've not had any bother with it since although still a lot of activity in other areas. Apart from washing windows - because of not being able to bend my wrist - I can't say there is really anything else I can't do. Of course I do drive an automatic car as I thing changing gears may be an issue if not.

Hope you get fixed up soon.

[Marycullen in reply to Allije]

Are you right or left handed

[Allije in reply to Marycullen]

Right handed. So obviously fairly easy for me.