I have RA and persistent wrist pain over last 12 months. The whole joint is deformed and surgeon has recommended a wrist fusion. I am so conflicted. We have been planning to have a baby and a) don’t know how well I could really cope with lifting (etc!) a baby as things stand but b) don’t want to wait years + to start trying because of surgery/wait lists/rehab as I’m 38 so already ‘old’.
Has anyone here experienced wrist fusion surgery and what was the recovery/rehab process like for you? What’s the range of motion you’re left with and how significant was the improvement in pain?
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I don’t have any words of wisdom either but too wanted to send best wishes. For me I would go ahead with the surgery now and then hopefully when baby comes along you will have developed any strategies needed. x
All I can say is that both my wrists are fused - not by surgical procedures, just naturally over many years. They are not at all painful and I should imagine that once completely healed yours will be fine.
My wrists had reached their present stage somewhat later than my daughter's babyhood, but I had no difficulty lifting most things. But now, because my hands and fingers are in a bad way, life is more difficult. As long as your hands and fingers are working the lack of flexibility in the wrists won't hamper you too much. It's surprising how you can adapt. I certainly wouldn't put off having the baby.
I would like to wish you all the very best , it’s a difficult one but probably wise to get this done xxx
I had my non dominant hand wrist fusion and an ulnar osteotomy at the same time (removing part of the ulnar bone to allow better rotation of wrist). The surgery was the best thing I ever did. I was in so much pain with every tiny movement due to erosion and being bone on bone. I was concerned about limited movement but it took a lot of physio to achieve full range of motion that a fused wrist allows. I can’t bend my wrist up and down or do a hand shake movement if that makes sense and turning palm completely up but the pain relief was 100% worth it. If you have any more questions feel free to ask but I’ll reply tonight as I’m due to go to work now x
I really wish I could offer you some good advice but have not experienced this myself. I would say that you will hear good and bad reports as with any surgery. Only read the good ones. Stay positive. I wish you all the very best.
I don't have any experience with this wrist problem issue, but I have had a friend who did not have use of her wrist at all and she managed very well bringing up three babies. She had learned to use the hand very well since many things can be well manipulated with just forearm function.
From other replies I realize that your fingers will likely still open and close just fine. So even without wrist function you will be able to grab things.
If not mechanical prosthetic devices exist that may be very helpful and of course more sophisticated electronic devices also exists these days.
I'm only mentioning these ideas so you should be aware that even in a worst case scenario there are solutions.
In any case good luck with the surgery if you decide to go ahead.
Hi I have had RA now for more than 50 years and have had several orthpaedic operation during that time. I had both my wrists fused about 40 years ago as like you I was in a lot of pain with them and found I couldnt pick up the lightest of objects without severe pain. I had my right wrist fused first which as I am right handed gave me lots of relief. My left wrist was operated on next but I had a prosthetic joint put in. Eighteen months later I had a review of this procedure and it was found that this prosthetic was splitting and as it was new technology there was no other result than to have it fused. This is what happened and I can honestly say both wrists are now painless. It was strange in the beginning as your brain told you that your wrist could bend but of course they couldnt but I can only say if you are experiencing the pain I did all those years ago then you have to go for it. You wont experience too many problems as the body learns to adapt and you will be painless. Best wishes to you and your future family.
Hi I have had both my wrists fused. One was in 1983 and the surgeon transferred a piece of bone from my right hip. It took about six months for things to settle but the final result was amazing and meant that I was pain free. The second was in 1994 on my right wrist and this time the surgeon used a steel rod to fuse it. I can honestly say that both wrists now are completely pain free. I never give any thought to them being fused straight, they are more usable this way. You will adapt when you have children without a doubt and the advantage of being pain free (in that area of your body) will mean that you will be happier!
I had my dominant wrist fused 18 months ago. It was due to keinbocks disease initially where the blood supply stops going to bones in the wrist so they die and crumble. Then the mri showed erosion in other bones. Which is when RA was diagnosed. I was unable to even turn a sheet of paper over without pain and had a constant feel of bones crunching together. The total fusion in my wrist involved removing the dead crumbled bones and making a paste out of them to put back in with the titanium plate. I was told it was a painful recovery but actually it wasn’t. I took all the oramorph they gave me as I kept expecting pain but I really didn’t need it. Now I just have a long thin scar on my hand and wrist about 8 inches or so. They also did carpal tunnel at same time as was told of its not done at same time it might cause problems. So I have a scar for that too. No pain at all. I have no movement at all in my wrist. All my fingers work as before but I did make sure I exercised them after surgery.
I would say now the only thing that isn’t easy is buttering bread ! I also make much more use of my elbow. (Not for buttering bread! Lol)
I realise your circumstance is more complicated because you want a baby. If you didn’t have the fusion would you be able to hold a baby? My granddaughter was born just before my fusion. I was more worried holding her before the fusion as just never knew how bad the pain would be. I had to get someone else to take her from me as couldn’t move my wrist enough without pain and fear of it giving way. I last saw her 3 months post op so was just out of plaster and was able to pick her up without pain. I was still adjusting to what I could do. Haven’t seen her since then due to the pandemic. With your own baby I think you would just learn to do things in a way that worked for you. Sorry for the long reply. If you want to know any more please contact me. Jane x
I don’t have experience of wrist fusion, but I have had one ankle fused and it has helped my pain. My advice is to have the surgery now before getting pregnant. Very best of luck to you.
Good morning. If you would like support, information or just someone to talk to, our NRAS helpline is open every weekday from 9.30am to 4.30pm nras.org.uk/helpline/ 0800 298 7650. Or have a look at our website nras.org.uk. Kind regards.
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