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03/05/2007 14:57
DaveS 
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03/05/2007 14:57
DaveS
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Recovery Time
Hi,
I'm 53 and had surgery for Dup's on the little finger of my right hand.
It's 5 weeks since my op. and although the affected finger has healed well, the others are still swollen and I can't make a fist. I have physio once a week and the therapist tells me I am in the 'bracket of normality'. (Sadly this only applies to my hand!)
I would like to hear how others were progressing at this stage after surgery and am I doing the right thing by working my hand as much as possible?
Thanks for any feedback.
Dave
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03/06/2007 04:47
DianeS 
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03/06/2007 04:47
DianeS
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Re: Recovery Time
Dave
Can't tell you if you are doing the right things but I can tell you that at 5 weeks, its pretty normal to have the "ohmygoddidimakeabigbooboo?" reaction and that stuff will get a lot better over the next couple of months.
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03/06/2007 10:36
Wolfgangnot registered
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03/06/2007 10:36
Wolfgangnot registered
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Re: Recovery Time
Dave, it took me 2-3 months until I could make a fist again and about 5 months until the operated hand wasn't anymore swollen. I don't think this is typical but it happens and the reason is probably some constirction in the arm's vein that some people have and some don't. Initially I also was disappointed that I went to surgery with a bent finger and afterwards it was straight but I couldn't bend it anymore. But today everything is OK and I can fully use my hand.
Don't worry, just keep exercising. And in the future don't trust doctors telling you that surgery is a piece of cake. Only for them.
Wolfgang
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03/06/2007 10:43
DaveS
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03/06/2007 10:43
DaveS
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Re: Recovery Time
Quote:
Dave
Can't tell you if you are doing the right things but I can tell you that at 5 weeks, its pretty normal to have the "ohmygoddidimakeabigbooboo?" reaction and that stuff will get a lot better over the next couple of months.
Diane
Thanks for that. I suppose I'm just feeling sorry for myself, since I was pretty active before the op. and now all I can do is sit around and do crosswords with my left hand. Even worse, my brother compiles them and I haven't managed to finish one yet.
Dave
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03/06/2007 11:21
DaveS
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03/06/2007 11:21
DaveS
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Re: Recovery Time
Quote:
Dave, it took me 2-3 months until I could make a fist again and about 5 months until the operated hand wasn't anymore swollen. I don't think this is typical but it happens and the reason is probably some constirction in the arm's vein that some people have and some don't. Initially I also was disappointed that I went to surgery with a bent finger and afterwards it was straight but I couldn't bend it anymore. But today everything is OK and I can fully use my hand.
Don't worry, just keep exercising. And in the future don't trust doctors telling you that surgery is a piece of cake. Only for them.
Wolfgang
Thanks Wolfgang. I know now that recovery will take much longer than I thought. This forum has been a great help. Perhaps doctors don't tell you the full story because they know many would look for a reason to avoid surgery and might be put off treatment.
Dave
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03/06/2007 16:06
GrumpyUnk
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03/06/2007 16:06
GrumpyUnk
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Re: Recovery Time
Dave, I'm same age & had same hand/finger done 4 weeks ago. Sounds like were at about the same point of healing, too.
This is indeed a great source of info. I've learned a lot of info here I doubt my Doc knows.
Think positive and keep working at it! Unk
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03/08/2007 18:22
marlin2266
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03/08/2007 18:22
marlin2266
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Re: Recovery Time
Dave -
I had the surgery on my (non-dominant) left hand 10 years ago.
I recall that I re-visited my surgeon about 4 weeks after the operation, and at that time she forced my fist open and closed 3 or 4 times. This was a little painful, but was necessary for the healing tissue to remain flexible.
Best of luck -
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03/09/2007 11:42
craggy
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03/09/2007 11:42
craggy
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Re: Recovery Time
Hi Dave
I had surgery on little finger (lefthand) mid january. I was using the gym after 2 weeks. and playing guitar also. I was climbing (indoors) after 5 weeks. I guess I just heal quickly! I am, by the way, very pleased with the surgery. I had previously visited Paris for NA on the same finger (a PIP thingy - bent at 110 degrees, and unmovable) but the treatment didn't work out too well.
Hope it works out for you soon!
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03/25/2007 01:27
bocro
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03/25/2007 01:27
bocro
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Re: Recovery Time
I had surgery mid January (major repair to ring & little finger). I am going for Physio once a week but my palm still is quite swollen. Fingers bend almost all the way with a little help. The most annoying thing is the stretching pain down the incisions. Does everyone suffer from this?
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03/25/2007 07:52
Wolfgangnot registered
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03/25/2007 07:52
Wolfgangnot registered
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Re: Recovery Time
I guess there is not something like a standard because everyone reacts differently but a "quite swollen hand" two months after a major surgery is, unfortunately, still within normal. While some people are OK after 6 weeks, others take 6 months or more to recover.
I don't know about the streching pain along the incisions. I just can't remember how I felt in that respect. After more than 3 years I still can feel where the aponeurosis was removed and I can feel the scar when I move my finger but it is not painful, just a sort of dumb feeling and blocking.
Overall I would guess that you don't need to worry and you will probably show your hand to your surgeon anyway. But don't expect too much: I myself was quite concerned after 6 weeks when I still couldn't make a fist, I showed my hand to the surgeon and thought it was great ...
Wolfgang
Quote:
I had surgery mid January (major repair to ring & little finger). I am going for Physio once a week but my palm still is quite swollen. Fingers bend almost all the way with a little help. The most annoying thing is the stretching pain down the incisions. Does everyone suffer from this?
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