| Having Surgery soon -when can I do what? |
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02/28/2010 22:29
doreegnot registered
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02/28/2010 22:29
doreegnot registered
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Having Surgery soon -when can I do what?
I will be having surgery on my left hand on the first joints of my index and ring fingers and on my palm in mid-March. I am right-handed.
When can I drive? When can I get back to exercise - holding dumbells, barbells, etc. How hard is it to cook and get dressed and normal activities like that? How bad is the pain and for how long - I know this is individual - but let me know your experience.
My husband will be with me the day of surgery but next day he is leaving on a business trip. I assume I will be able to take care of myself but let me know if this does not seem wise.
Thanks a bunch in advance.
Doree
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02/28/2010 23:41
jimh 
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02/28/2010 23:41
jimh
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Re: Having Surgery soon -when can I do what?
It's a big hassle but you'll be ok. I've had 2 surgeries - there really wasn't any serious pain. The main thing is to keep it elevated - above your heart - as much as possible, to minimize swelling, for at least the first couple of weeks. They should give you an arm sling for that purpose. Don't be thinking about dumbells for months.
You'll find that you adapt to one-handedness fairly quickly.
Edited 03/01/10 01:41
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03/01/2010 00:21
callie 
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03/01/2010 00:21
callie
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Re: Having Surgery soon -when can I do what?
Generally the pain is not bad at all. I had a prescription for pain pills but never needed any. I took Tylenol for pain regularly for a couple of weeks. Keep elevated, it is important.
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03/01/2010 00:36
callie
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03/01/2010 00:36
callie
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Re: Having Surgery soon -when can I do what?
Driving? You will probably be able to drive the next day. It is a good idea to try some of these one handed things for a day sometime before the surgery. You will get a good idea then.
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03/01/2010 01:51
tique60 
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03/01/2010 01:51
tique60
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Re: Having Surgery soon -when can I do what?
I had needle aponeurotomy last Monday and could have gone back to work as a dentist the following day- no physical therapy, pain pills, stitches,etc., etc.
Please consider it before doing the surgery. I travelled from Connecticut to Florida to see Dr. Charles Eaton, the originator of this technique involving wide- awake surgery. He is a truly gifted man who has dedicated his entire career to Dupuytren"s- I never met him before, but rather sent him pictures of my hand for evaluation.
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03/01/2010 10:31
TrevB
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03/01/2010 10:31
TrevB
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Re: Having Surgery soon -when can I do what?
I've been virtually one handed for 30 years due to one side residual paralysis and it's a pain so you only want it short term or preferably not at all.
Get one of these for one handed eating, one of the best inventions ever http://www.amazon.co.uk/Knork-Knife-Fork...2853&sr=8-2
Cambidgeshire, UK.
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03/01/2010 19:07
jimh
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03/01/2010 19:07
jimh
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Re: Having Surgery soon -when can I do what?
Like callie said, it's a good idea to try lashing up your left had for an afternoon, before the surgery, to get used to the feeling.
I assume you've already ruled out NA because I agree with everyone else here, it's much preferrable to surgery unless there are clear indications it wouldn't be successful.
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03/01/2010 21:27
doreeg@verizon.comnot registered
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03/01/2010 21:27
doreeg@verizon.comnot registered
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Re: Having Surgery soon -when can I do what?
Thank you all for responding to my query. Based on your responses and reading more on this web-site, I plan to postpone my surgery and go about 3 hours south to see an MD at UCLA I found on this site and see about NA. I really, really trust my local orthopedist - who did my wonderful knee replacement 2 years ago and has done a bunch of minor successful knee surgeries on both myself and my husband. He is also one of only 2 MD's in this area who do Dupytrens surgery. He did not feel I was a candidate for NA (which I am pretty sure he does not do) and he is not a proponent of collagenase as it is not targeted enough. But I am Stage 1 and that seems to be an ideal time for NA so I decided to get a 2nd opinion becasue the surgery is a lot less minor than I thought it was.
Thanks again.
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