Four Corner Wrist Fusion

[Truechef4]

Hello I have a a few questions about four corner wrist fusion. 12 years ago I broke my scaphoid bone and never got it repaired. 3 years ago I got a really good job and I started off at the bottom and work my way up and now they want to make me a plastic welder. I've been welding for about 9 months now and my wrist is killing me. I have really good health insurance and my boss told me to go get my wrist looked at and to get it fixed. So the doctor said the X-ray showed my scaphoid bone is shattered and I developed arthritis completely around it . they're unable to put any pins in or screws and he wants to perform a four corner wrist fusion. I was wondering if anybody out there could give me some advice on the procedure the pain the complications afterwards I've heard a lot of bad information on this surgery and I'm starting to get cold feet. My doctor says the recovery time is around 4 months which is understandable being that it took 12 years for me to get it fixed but I'm just worried about the pain and the long-term effects of the procedure. Has anybody had this procedure done over 5 years ago I was wondering if the pain is still there or if anybody had any complications, any advice or information will be greatly appreciated thank you

[johnsmith]

The wrist killing bit is probably muscular. This issue is never looked at by many doctors. You have had the problem for 12 years so body has adapted to it.

See a sports therapist to check for muscle shortening problems. See an Alexander Teacher for help with muscle control. The recovery time is longer than 4 months. The bone could well heal in 4 months from surgery , but the muscle misbehaviour has to be worked on and this will take at least 6 months.

Surgeons pass their patients on to other people after surgery so may not have a grasp of the muscle complications that can arise.

If the wrist is strong enough to do the tasks requested of it then is their any particular reason that you have to do four corner wrist fusion? These issues are for you to investigate.

You can get wrist supports. I know this because I have used a wrist support when I broke my wrist many years ago. It took 6 months to stretch out contracted muscles. A McTimony chiropractor had to loosen the tight muscles on the wrist tendons to get strength back into my fingers.

[Truechef4 in reply to johnsmith]

Over the years my wrist has been hurting more and more and more. It's at the point where even when I ride my ATV for a short period of time it hurts the rest of the day. I actually wear two wrist brace at work one helps the wrist from not moving from side to side and the other one helps my wrist from not moving up and down. They really don't help,at this point.

Six months though is a long time. Unfortunately I need the surgery.but I am getting a second opinion. Mayb they can do something else...this surgery is crazy..and I am nervous

Thanks for advice

[johnsmith in reply to Truechef4]

When muscles contract they shorten. Other muscles lengthen out again. When movement is restricted lengthening out cannot take place after shortening. Your wrist brace is causing a problem. It could well be the problem. You need movement in the wrist.

Find a sports therapist. They should be able to help you understand the problem in your particular situation. Muscles have nerves to tell them to contract. The nerves contacted to a muscle do not have any means to tell a muscle to uncontract. A muscle has no mechanism to uncontract. This is why children are constantly moving and are never still. Their movements are lengthening muscle out after they have contracted.

[Truechef4 in reply to johnsmith]

Oh, makes sense...ill take ur advice...ill call on Monday...thanks

[Oxyforall in reply to johnsmith]

Not everything is muscular like you try to portray ? A bone sticking out the leg is broken and no Alexander teacher or exercise will fix it. Sometimes surgery is just required and the approach you detail

can be used as a repair !

[johnsmith in reply to Oxyforall]

I agree with what you say. However, investigations into muscular behavior do need to be done. The investigations can eliminate or confirm that muscle behavior has an impact on the problem.