Hi there,
I’ve just recently recovered from a scaphoid fracture, however having previous injury’s to my left wrist it has know left me without cartilage and ligaments and my surgeon tells me I will need a wrist fusion. I still have full movement and some pain in my wrist, which I can put up with for the moment, so my question is, should I refrain from the fusion as long as I can or get it done asap ? I am a keen cyclist and still very much an active person and this is my dilemma.
Cheers Bruce
Don't have it done until you really need to darling.xxxx
If it were me I would put it off as long as I could especially if it will affect your cycling. If you aren’t in too much pain of course. My wrists are naturally almost fused now and I find riding a bike really difficult. Good luck whatever you decide 😊
Maybe ask the surgeon if you will have any movement in your wrist after fusion. If not, then it might be better to hold off until your wrist fuses on its own, to prolong your cycling.
I have had both wrists fused. One with a bone graft from my hip, one with metal. Both operations took at least three months to recover from. I can honestly say that all the pain has gone, which, when you consider how much you use your hands/wrists etc is brilliant. There is little that I cannot do, I have a stable joints which are different from a flexing wrist but easy to use and adapt. I cannot cycle now (because of knees etc) but we used to have a tandem which we used extensively and my fused wrists only served to make cycling more comfortable.
I use a mobility scooter for our rides now ( partner uses his bike) and my wrists do not cause any issues. If you are in pain go ahead and have the operation it certainly cures that. Be patient during recovery and follow physio advice. I used a squeezy ball to regain movement and strength.
Hi davannh. I really appreciate your post as I am in a similar situation to laminator . ie. a bad fall 3.5 yrs ago leaving me with a non-united schapoid bone and now deterioration of the carpal bones, causing arthritis. The pain is sporadic, which is a little unsettling when it shoots through my wrist from time to time. But I can cope with that for now. I am a very active 57 year old who loves cycling, travelling and riding my motorbike. It's reassuring to hear you say that cycling presents no problem for you with fused wrists. Does your scooter have a normal motorbike type throttle on the handle bars? And if so, can you manage ok? It's my right wrist that's effected and I'm sure I'll need a fusion one day. I'm worried that I won't be able to ride again. My surgeon here in Australia wasn't all that keen on wrist replacements, saying that they often tend to be more trouble than they're worth and a fusion is much stronger and reliable. I wonder if you have any views on that. Sorry, lots of questions. Really appreciate any advice you have, especially given your experience. Thanks in advance 
The hand surgeon told me 2yrs that my right wrist either needed a fusion or replacement or to leave alone. I decided on the latter for the time being. Unfortunately at Xmas I fell and broke this wrist so nowhave to decide whether to go back and see him but the at moment things aren't too bad so biding my time as don't feel I can have another op this year. If you're managing pain ok then see how things progress as long you're not doing more damage . Good luck on your decision xx
I have the same dilemma and have thought a lot about wrist replacement versus fusion. However my surgeon says there are often lots of complications with mechanical wrist replacements and a fusion is stronger, more stable and more reliable. Though of course you loose a lot of mobility. I'd be interested to know if you have looked at any wrist replacement options and what your thoughts are.
Hi. My wrists were badly affected when diagnosed 4yrs ago which resulted in my right one sublaxing (dislocating). Surgeon said replacement would not work so had pin fusion but resulted in rupture of 2 tendons being repaired by transfers. Fusion helped the pain. Decided against left one being done so had steroid injection which was great. Back to riding my bike and getting on well. Had to give up playing golf as left wrist wouldn’t tolerate it. Good luck.
Hi Midwife, how did your tendon transfers go? Did they work? I’m waiting to have two done ( the waiting is my choice as I’m really not sure about getting it done and the surgeon seemed to be trying to put me off ! ) I know I’ll eventually get them done it’s just when. Thanks 😊
It was my ring and little fingers that were affected. 90% result achieved. Required a lot of hand therapy by the OT specialist with hand in splint for at least 8wks but I’m happy with results. I’m pleased I had it done as it was a pain just trying to do day to day activities.
Thanks for that, it’s really helpful to hear from someone who’s had it done and it’s been successful. It’s my ring and little finger too, on my dominant hand. Did they use the tendons from your wrists ? I’m very worried about the recovery time, I need to drive for work and that would be hard.
I had both wrists fused in 2007 and 2009 due to erosive RA. It does what it says on the tin - no movement in wrist area, which means no pain. However, I now get pain as my ops were years ago and our bodies change as we get older. Pain is nothing like as bad as previously though.
It takes a long while to get back to your new ‘normal’. I also found recovery extreme painful, but got there in the end.
I can’t ride a bike any more, nor lift anything other than very light objects. We got an automatic car and now have one with an automatic boot too, which is a Godsend - as is my boiling water tap.
Personally I would avoid wrist replacement if you’re offered it. My consultant said they’re not reliable, particularly for younger people, and if they have to be removed, it’s a big space with nothing to fill it. Hence I had the fusions!
I waited til I was in constant pain before having it done. You need to be sure there’s no non-surgical cure before having this op, because it’s lifelong and you do have to adapt to it. I waited ages so I knew for sure it wasn’t going to get better. Hi d say try everything else you can first as it really is a last resort. I’m glad I’ve had them done though, so hope that helps.
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