| Post Surgery Concerns |
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01/23/2013 11:55
knsgee 
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01/23/2013 11:55
knsgee
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Post Surgery Concerns
Hi ,
I am into my 9th week after Dupuytrens surgery on my left hand. I still have significant stiffness in hand and am unable to make fist using my right hand to force. I also have very significant pain in left hand, wrist, arm and shoulder. I would assess a constant ache in left hand of about 5 on 1 to 10 scale for about 70% of time with periodic very sharp pain as well as burning type pain varying in intensity and mostly in hand/ wrist area for 30 % of time about 10% each for pain level 7,8,and 9.
When can I reasonably expect the pain to ebb considerably and or should I have serious concerns about very long term discomfort?
Would appreciate hearing from anyone that has had similar situation and especially if they have any suggestions I could try to alleviate pain. I take a blood thinner so am unable to use any anti-inflamatory medications.
Thanks Gary
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01/23/2013 12:42
wach  Administrator
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01/23/2013 12:42
wach Administrator
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Re: Post Surgery Concerns
Individual predictions are impossible, everyone is different. I had surgery and it took about 5-6 months until the swelling was gone completely. It took me two to three months until I could actively make a fist again. That sounds similar to you. Fortunately I did not have much pain after the wound had healed. Having a lot of pain 2 months after surgery is unusual. Did you talk to your doctor about that? You ought to do that. To get some relief you might try soaking your hand in warm water for a while and repeat that 2-3 times a day. maybe that helps a little.
Good luck!
Wolfgang
Edited 01/23/13 17:07
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01/23/2013 15:04
callie 
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01/23/2013 15:04
callie
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Re: Post Surgery Concerns
What type of therapy are you doing? What type of surgery? What type of surgeon did the surgery? Does the surgeon do this type of surgery regularly? Do you keep the wound moist 24/7 with lotion? Are you wearing a night time splint? Is the wound an "angry" red? Yes, check with your doctor. Your situation is not normal, but it does happen.
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01/24/2013 06:39
knsgee
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01/24/2013 06:39
knsgee
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Re: Post Surgery Concerns
wach:
Individual predictions are impossible, everyone is different. I had surgery and it took about 5-6 months until the swelling was gone completely. It took me two to three months until I could actively make a fist again. That sounds similar to you. Fortunately I did not have much pain after the wound had healed. Having a lot of pain 2 months after surgery is unusual. Did you talk to your doctor about that? You ought to do that. To get some relief you might try soaking your hand in warm water for a while and repeat that 2-3 times a day. maybe that helps a little.
Good luck!
Wolfgang
Thanks for info Wolfgang....I will definitely try the warm water soaking. I have not yet talked to doctor about pain. The surgery was done at a teaching hospital and the doctor in charge was head of department , orthopedic hand surgeon however I don't know for sure if he did the actual surgery or acted in a supervisory capacity. I have only seen him once since surgery and that was when original splint and sutures removed about 12 days after surgery. He seemed pleased, as did I, with the progress of the healing.
Thanks Again Gary
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01/24/2013 07:28
knsgee
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01/24/2013 07:28
knsgee
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Re: Post Surgery Concerns
callie:
What type of therapy are you doing? What type of surgery? What type of surgeon did the surgery? Does the surgeon do this type of surgery regularly? Do you keep the wound moist 24/7 with lotion? Are you wearing a night time splint? Is the wound an "angry" red? Yes, check with your doctor. Your situation is not normal, but it does happen.
Hi Callie
Thank you for your interest. The surgery was performed or at least supervised by the head of department, Othopedic hand surgeon, who has an excellent reputation...it was done in teaching hospital, and alkthough I don`t know for sure believe the type of surgery was a total fasciectomy to fix ring finger on left hand which could not be extended beyond 90 degrees,as well as pinkie which was not as badly affected. The therapy I have been assigned so far has been to press the operated hand, left, as flat as possible on table top and hold for one minute as well as close the hand as tightly as possible and hold for one minute, each exercise to be done once every hour I am awake, and is assisted using right hand. This morning I can close the hand with assistance of course so that finger tips are about an inch and a half from touching heel of hand. They are always stiffer when first arising and I should be able to close them more as day progresses although there has been a significant relapse as a few days ago I was able to get fingers to about a half inch from heel.
I am unable to tolerate either splint that I have been given so far as they cause my arm and shoulder to ache considerably more than they do without them. I still try occasionally but in most cases remove splint fairly quickly. I don`t understand why the discomfort but since purpose of splint is to keep fingers extended and I don`t appear to have a problem in that regard I will continue and see what they say in another four weeks when I go back for consult.
The wound or incision healed very well and it gets aggravated a bit due to stretching caused by flat out exercise but colour is just about same as surrounding tissue. I have not on a regular basis moisturized the incision and have just started to massage the hand mostly the back to try and push (swelling agent) away.
For your interest I had Dupuytrens surgery on right hand three years ago at a different facility and surgeon to fix primarily the pinkie and to a lesser degree the ring finger on that hand. I didn`t have anywhere near the discomfort with that operation as I am having this time. Unfortunately the condition, especially with pinkie finger is repeating.
Cheers Gary
P.S In the past I have been informed that I have a pretty high pain tolerance but after two months this is really starting to get to me, especially as I don`t understand what is causing pain, especially in wrist ,arm and shoulder! And why still the swelling in hand.
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01/25/2013 00:05
JoelC
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01/25/2013 00:05
JoelC
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Re: Post Surgery Concerns
I had surgery on both feet in the past year for LD. Took slow release hyromorphone and was somewhat effective. But still a lot of pain and spasms. Dr, prescribed gavapentin ,,,not sure if correct spelling,,, a nerve pain block medicine. Very effective. Have 80 percent less pain. Life activities more tolerable. Still waiting to get hands treated,,, sigh, all the best
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01/25/2013 01:21
callie
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01/25/2013 01:21
callie
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Re: Post Surgery Concerns
Gary,
It is interesting how we all have different experiences. I had no problem with pain. I didn't push my therapy to the point of pain. I did do a lot of flexing all through the day and tried to flex a little more each day. There is at least one study that says the splint is not any more helpful than not using a splint. My surgery was on my little finger (90 degrees contracture) eleven years ago.
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01/25/2013 06:13
wach Administrator
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01/25/2013 06:13
wach Administrator
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Re: Post Surgery Concerns
Maybe you are stretching too aggressively? I agree with callie that exercises aim to regain mobility and should not be painful and disturb wound healing.
Wolfgang
callie:
Gary,
It is interesting how we all have different experiences. I had no problem with pain. I didn't push my therapy to the point of pain. I did do a lot of flexing all through the day and tried to flex a little more each day. There is at least one study that says the splint is not any more helpful than not using a splint. My surgery was on my little finger (90 degrees contracture) eleven years ago.
Edited 01/26/13 09:20
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