I am having my wrist and knuckles replaced. Can anyone who has had these operations please let me know how they got on?Thank you.David

[badar]

I have had my other wrist fused.

[Hidden]

Hi david, very rare for knuckles to be replaced but then again I've just read your profile and I see you have had RA many years resulting in many operations.So I understand your situation, I've only had synovectomy on both wrists the they are fused but this happened by itself which can sometimes be the case. I've had my right elbow replaced which was a complete success. I have also had a triple Arthrodisis on both feet/ankles.

I wish I could give you advice that would be helpful to you but I'm sorry I can't. It would appear that what you have already been through as regards surgery you will no doubt get through these others too. I do however hope you come across someone who as had similar surgery to help with any questions you may have.

I wish you all the very best on your forth coming surgery.

Good luck and take care

mand xx

[badar in reply to Hidden]

Hello Mand, Many thanks for your reply.

As you say I have experience of different operations. I have no worry about having the operation, it is just trying to find out what other people have experienced and the long term results. My next one in October is my right elbow. The wrist and knuckles will be in the new year. All the operations I have had before have been a success in getting rid of the pain permanently, though my movement as not increased.

David

[Judi]

Hi David, I had the 4 main knuckles replaced on my right hand 8/9 years ago (swannson joints) (Not the small finger joints) Best thing I have ever done! I am retired now but was working at the time as a secretary - job involved loads of typing. I went into hospital on the Weds morning, had the op in the afternoon and went home on the Friday afternoon. I was off work for 3 months but only because I had a 30/45 minute drive to work and because probably would have been asked to do some typing - possibly could have returned sooner. Main gains: once the joints had settled down I only get occasional twinges (very very occasional) from the joints and no finger drift (my fingers were at right angle to my hand) and I could also hold things again. After a few weeks back at work I did a typing speed test, cant remember the numbers now but as an old fashioned 'touch typist' the results were very good.

Hope this gives you a bit of encouragement.

Judi xxx

[badar in reply to Judi]

Hello Judi, Thank you for your reply. The consultant did not say what type of joint he would use for my knuckles. I will be having the wrist replacement first in the new year, so will have a good opportunity to find out. The fingers on both of my hands are at a right angle, and drift.

My middle finger joints are swan-necked.

At the moment my finger tips touch the bottom of my palm. You say that you can hold things again. Can you please tell me how much movement you now have?

Thank you

David

[Judi in reply to badar]

Hi David, how much movement I have is difficult for me to assess - i.e. actual percentage. All I can say is that my typing speed using all the fingers on my right hand was almost as good as pre-RA deformed fingers (bearing in mind it had become difficullt for me to type or even hold a cloth/sponge/duster when cleaning). Picking up small objects i.e. tablets the size of folic acid was no longer a problem. If you are considering having it done you could ask your consultant if there is someone else who has had it done that you could speak to. I must admit that I had reservations before I had mine done and on reflection should have asked if it was possible to speak to someone who had been through the same op. I don't think I had much of a choice with having the joints replaced, my fingers had become next to useless. One thing which amazed me (don't know why) was that my handwriting (i.e. my signature) was exactly the same. For some reason I thought it might not be???? Woman's logic perhaps.

Judi xxxx

PS - I did ask before I had it done 'what happens if they wear out?' - was told that they can be replaced again if necessary. Would assume from that answer that if one had not worked properly it was possible to replace it again.

[badar in reply to Judi]

Hello Judi, thank you for taking the time to answer my extra question.

David

[Judi]

Hi David, sorry but spelt 'Swanson' wrong. If these are the type of joints they propose to use as a replacement try googling 'swanson arthroplasty' I did and came up with an information leaflet produced by my surgeon.

Judi

[badar in reply to Judi]

Hello Judi, I have now downloaded the information leaflets.

Many thanks for this information.

David

[JackyL]

Hi . I had my left wrist replaced 14 years ago. I also had the knuckles on my right hand replaced about 8 years ago. Both operations were fairly uncomfortable and took quite a few months to recover from but I am glad i had the surgery because of the significant reduction in pain from those joints. I had got to the stage with my wrist that it was affecting my whole life. I think things must have improved since my wrist replacement because I did not realise what a big operation it would be and it was all a shock to my system. I have a slight amount of movement in my wrist which is useful (my right wrist fused of its own accord 20 years ago soon after I developed RA). My wrist has lasted well and I think the procedure is improving all the time. Best wishes Jackyx

[badar]

Hello Jacky, Thank you for your reply. I had my right wrist replaced in 2012. I have found that I only get slight movement with it. This is ok, has it still allows me to clean myself after using the loo. My knuckle on my right hand were replaced in Feb 2013. I found that the the physio took a long time. I cannot fully close my fingers, but are almost straight, so that I can put on a glove. I am still glad that I had the operations. My left hand wrist was fused, but the metal has broken so it moves a bit. I am due to have the knuckles replied in July.

Cheers, David