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Suggest Treatment For Ligament Tear In Wrist
Question: I am 52 years old and am a remodeler. About a year ago I tore my ligament in my wrist. After recently having an MRI and x-rays, I have no arthritis and no inflammation. I only have pain when I move it a certain way. I've been told that screws would hold my wrist better than pins, but there is a 50% chance of infection and the recuperation time would be up to a year and I would have to be very careful and more than likely will reinjure it and have to have another surgery and will eventually have it fused together. This doesn't seem very promising to me. My other option is to live with it with a brace and continue to work carefully and if the pain gets to the point where I can't bear it then get a shot to help until eventually fusing it together. I guess I am asking for a second opinion. With the operation seeming that I will always have issues because of my line of work and healing time being so long it seems that I may do better with wearing a brace for as long as possible and maybe be able to work another 10 years before the arthritis gets so bad I have to have it fused. Is the surgery really that bleak for someone of my age and occupation?
Brief Answer:
Would suggest putting off surgery.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your question.
If you are getting along pretty well and not in a lot of pain then I would suggest wearing the brace and putting off surgery as long as possible. There is no way to get around the long recovery period after a surgery and also no way to avoid possible risk of infection or other complications.
Some physical therapy to build up the supporting muscle may also help protect your wrist. With a brace, caution and Physiotherapy you may be able to avoid surgery all together which would be the best outcome possible.
Taking a multivitamin daily and adding some sort of supplement like glucosamine for cartilage support may also be helpful.
Thank you for using HCM and let me know if you have other questions
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
Would suggest putting off surgery.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your question.
If you are getting along pretty well and not in a lot of pain then I would suggest wearing the brace and putting off surgery as long as possible. There is no way to get around the long recovery period after a surgery and also no way to avoid possible risk of infection or other complications.
Some physical therapy to build up the supporting muscle may also help protect your wrist. With a brace, caution and Physiotherapy you may be able to avoid surgery all together which would be the best outcome possible.
Taking a multivitamin daily and adding some sort of supplement like glucosamine for cartilage support may also be helpful.
Thank you for using HCM and let me know if you have other questions
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
We are eating extremely healthy and taking supplements, which is why I feel I do not have any arthritis or inflammation, however, I am not on the glucosamine, which is a good idea.
Do you feel there is any benefit at all to having the surgery now?
Do you feel there is any benefit at all to having the surgery now?
Brief Answer:
possibly
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your follow up.
There are several situations in which it might be good to go ahead with the surgery, but it is always a complicated decision and there really are no "right" answers. If you are very uncomfortable then it might be good to go ahead with the surgery. If now would be a good time for you to miss work and not have it impact your life too much, then it might also be good to just go ahead and have it done. If the surgeon feels that it would be better to do it now or that if you wait the surgery might not be as successful then I would consider going ahead. You really have to take into consideration not just your wrist, but also your life and work and surgical recommendation then make the decision.
Good luck to you.
Dr. Robinson
possibly
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your follow up.
There are several situations in which it might be good to go ahead with the surgery, but it is always a complicated decision and there really are no "right" answers. If you are very uncomfortable then it might be good to go ahead with the surgery. If now would be a good time for you to miss work and not have it impact your life too much, then it might also be good to just go ahead and have it done. If the surgeon feels that it would be better to do it now or that if you wait the surgery might not be as successful then I would consider going ahead. You really have to take into consideration not just your wrist, but also your life and work and surgical recommendation then make the decision.
Good luck to you.
Dr. Robinson
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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