Wrist Ulna Head Joint Replacement

[ellilu58]

Has anyone had their wrist ulna head joint replaced due to RA and if so, how are you doing now?

[dippyd09]

I had it done in 2014 at the same time as they replaced my knuckles. I was supposed to have a wrist replacement but my wrist was too badly damaged to have that done. The ulnar head replacement has been amazing I do have slightly less movement in my wrist but the best benefit is I’m pain free. It will take a few weeks afterwards to recover but I can truthfully say it’s well worth having done. Good luck.

[ellilu58 in reply to dippyd09]

Thank you so much for that! I don't mind less movement as long as I'm pain free. I've had so many ops on my wrist but none have been successful! My surgeon did say that I'd have much less pain. How long did it take to recover? As long as I can still drive once it's healed, I'll be happy 😀😀😀

[dippyd09 in reply to ellilu58]

It took around 6 weeks. I couldn’t drive for that time and to be really honest I would say I didn’t drive for around 8 weeks.

I too tried other remedies like watching my diet, that weakened me. I tried homeopathy too. My RA was very severe to be honest and started after a major op which caused a nasty infection. I’ve now had it for 34 years but couldn’t tolerate all the newer drugs, side effects were awful. Surgery has been my best way of being pain free.

I can only tell my story, my ulnar head has been extremely successful.

[ellilu58 in reply to dippyd09]

Yes, I thought it would be about 8 weeks before I could drive again. I'll save on petrol tho won't i?!!

So sorry to hear that you've suffered for all those years. I've had it for 12 years and the first two, I didn't want to go on. I was so poorly. It's a horrible disease isn't it? My mum and grandmother had it so I knew it well. I was a nurse and always hope that I'd get back to it but of course, you don't see many nurses with walking sticks do you 😂😂😂

I struggle too with the newer drugs - I used to be able to tolerate anything but that's all gone out of the window now. Side effects galore from pretty much anything now.

But we have to keep going don't we? But thank you again for your story and I'm so glad that your wrist is pain free. You've really lifted my spirits knowing that! I always call my wrist pain the 'mothership' that sets all the other pain off! The only thing that has ever helped with the wrist pain is whacking them with stinging nettles from my field! Hurts like hell for about 5 minutes but then goes all numb and tingling for a few hours! Bliss. But winters here and the nettles are gone. I'm like a spring lamb when I see them grow again!

[dippyd09 in reply to ellilu58]

Crumbs! That sounds fierce! Yes, I like you was very down for a little while but my boys were young and had to just press on. Funnily enough, I was a nurse too. I had to have my tendons replaced in my thumbs and after being off sick for a few months the occupational health doctors wouldn’t allow me to go back to work. That absolutely devastated me, having to lose my registration nearly broke my heart but that was 25 years ago. I’m resigned to it now and know I’ll never do my beloved job again. We do just have to keep going and actually I’ve found it the best way to cope. Just keep on.

I wish you all the best.

[Gaz227]

hi ellilu , I also have RA , OA and a condition called Sapho syndrome all joint oriented stuff, I didn’t even know it was a thing ulna end replacement I’ve suffered with my wrists for years , I’m still very active teaching martial arts but without MTX and pred it wouldn’t be possible . Just lately things seem to have got worse whether that’s the season’s changing not sure but this is definitely the worst I have been with the cold . I’m 63 now and can’t imagine being 10 years older with this horrible health issue, always looking for holistic cures and others ways to deal with this problem . I’ll be interested to hear other people stories that post with the ulna surgeries. Good luck, if you have any other approaches to this condition I’d love to hear them . 👍

[ellilu58 in reply to Gaz227]

Yep, I'm always looking for alternative remedies too! The best I've found so far is turmeric and black pepper for the inflammation because non of the prescribed medications help me. I tried four different DMARDS before they finally put me onto biologics but the damage has already been done to my hands and feet. Might be worth having a chat with your rheumatologist about switching? take care x

[Gaz227 in reply to ellilu58]

I’m just in the process of arranging a meeting with the Rheumy , haven’t had a face to face for about a year , crazy really , I’ve been self medicating for longer than I can remember . Good luck 🤞 that’s how my fingers look all the time now 😂

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Gaz227]

Do you mind if I ask what you mean by self medicating? Just curious- I take hydroxychloroquine at the moment.

[Gaz227 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I take MTX and pred , if I have a flare of any kind I increase my meds till it passes , and slowly reduce them back to a base line , every now and then I try to do a slow taper on the pred , never got below 3 mg everything goes pear shaped when I stay on 3mg for a week or so , end up back on 5mg and slowly back to 4mg , MTX I take a constant 10mg injection and folic acid once a week . I desperately want rid of the pred but can’t function without it at the moment , probably an adrenal issue but can’t get them to listen to me .

[ellilu58 in reply to Gaz227]

Bless you! I'm not far behind with those gammy fingers ! 😂😂😂

[Gaz227 in reply to ellilu58]

😂 I train in Brazilian ju jitsu , it’s kind of an occpantional hazard , the RA just compounds things .

[debjw]

Hi, I’m due to have an ulnar head replacement on my wrist and replacement knuckles and the tendon’s releasing on Monday. I’ll let you know👍

[ellilu58 in reply to debjw]

Please do! That would be great. Keeping all my finger, toes and anything else crossed that it all works for you and that have a speedy recovery! xxx

[debjw in reply to ellilu58]

Thank you ☺️