Painful wrists

[Callabag64]

Has anyone had surgery on wrists. Having had RA for 30 years my hands are quite deformed, and my wrists are still extremely painful. Was thinking of asking consultant for X-ray to see damage and maybe surgery to help. I am unable to do any housework, food prep, and dressing and personal care extremely difficult. Relying on wrist splints daily, any comments gratefully appreciated.

[dickfend]

Hi I have got RA and had it for over 40 years now and have had several operations one of which I had over 30 years ago to fuse both of my wrists. I like yourself found it extremely difficult to do anything as they were so painful. I found at first it required extra thought when doing anything with your hands as your mind was telling yourself that this is the obvious when in fact it couldn't be done that way because you can't bend your wrist. However, one soon learns to adapt and now it is no different to how it was before. That said, I think it puts more strain on your elbows as your compensate the movement. In my case and probably because I am right handed I have in the last 6 years had to have a joint replacement to my right elbow. Overall and probably because I have biologics every 6 weeks by infusion, I am coping quite well. I would thoroughly recommend wrist fusion if your pain is unbearable when doing any minor task. I really wish you well and hope you make the right decision.

[Callabag64 in reply to dickfend]

Thank you for you reply. Best wishes

[beeckey]

Hi Callabag64 I agree with dickfend.I had my right wrist fused over 20 years ago as the pain was awful.Ihad to give up my job as i could not even hold a pen but then i had it fused and what a difference it made.You just have remember that it does not bend but you get used to it.I get a bit of pain with it as i have a lot of pain with my hands but i would still go for it as it did make a big difference.I was in plaster for about 2 months but that was a long time ago maybe things have moved on a bit.

[Callabag64 in reply to beeckey]

Thank you very much for your comments, gives me hope.

[hoxtonchris]

Hi callabags i have arthritis in my thumb joints radiating down to my wrists now so feel your pain to, i had an op in the 70s to remove a deep ganglion from my wrist i was in hospital for a week as the swelling wouldnt go and even after i left it swelled up massively my mum had a “washout” on her wrists that too took forever to heel they are notoriously slow healers so im afraid personely unless docs thuerentee pain free post op i wouldnt have it but thats just me good luck

[Callabag64 in reply to hoxtonchris]

Thank you for your comments.

[sheels6726]

No one seems to have mentioned steroid injections? They kill the pain