Hello,
As promised I am reporting back 2 weeks after my fasciectomy. (See my post entitled, Recently undergone surgery on 23/11/09)
There is a photo attached, which shows fairly clearly the look of the wound, a bit grim if you are at all squeamish! I had the stitches removed on Tuesday, & immediately had to go to the Occupational Therapy unit to have a splint made that I have to wear at night for 3 Months. The splint was made from a piece of plastic, cut to size, then heated up (in a microwave!) & moulded to fit the finger & part of the palm. This is held on with a strap that wraps around the wrist & held together with velcro.
There is quite a lot of stiffness across the knuckles & also swelling across the back of them. I can flex all the fingers, but understandably I cannot make a fist just yet. The skin around the wound is still swollen, & a little numb, again understandably.
So obviously there will be some time before the wound is healed & I am able to use my hand fully, but I have enough mobility to be able to drive, which is a relief.
I asked the Consultant on her view of NA, & she was of the opinion that in my case it was too late, & that surgery was the only option, NA is performed at my hospital as I met someone there in the OT dept, who had just had it , he had a very small sticking plaster on his palm as opposed to my wound.
I will be returning to the OT unit in 2 weeks time to check on the splint, the Consultant does not want to see me for 3 Months, this seems a long time, would you think this is right?

Regards, Adrian.

Hi Adrian Australia Calling. I am surprised that you do not have to see the surgeon for 3 months. However if you are in England with the so called Universal Health System that would be the case.Cost Cutting. Maybe your physio reports back, but take it from me I have had 15 surgeries and the person most interested in your wellbeing is yourself .I saw my surgeon one month after the stiches were removed and of course if you have a problem dont wait. Do you keep your hand elevated as much as possible? ie hand at shoulder height, flex the fingers as much as you can as this helps pump the blood and remove the swelling. Soak your hand in warm each morning and remove any old skin tissue around the scar tissue with a sharp scissor. Gently try to make a fist and place the palm of your hand on the bottom to the basin and exert a slow gentle downward pressure. The shape of the hand basin helps force your fingers in an upward direction. Keep the Vitamin E creme on the scar tissue. Do your GENTLE stretching exercise as much as you can all day, particulary up to 4 weeks after surgery. In my case I found the movement you have at 4 weeks is as good as it gets. I used a putty type product which helps to bring back strength when sweezed in the palm. As your Physio . Hope this helps.

Edited 11/29/09 01:06